Changing of the guard for Brookhaven Democrats
Chairwoman Marsha Laufer will resign as party leader
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Brookhaven Democratic Committee chairwoman Marsha Laufer -- credited with strengthening the party's base in a township long considered a Republican stronghold -- informed executive committee members Monday she will step down from her post of 7 1/2 years next month.
Ms. Laufer, 66, is expected to pass the torch to her successor Dec. 14 at the Suffolk County Democrats' nominating convention at the Crowne Plaza in Holtsville. Ms. Laufer said she tendered her resignation to members of the executive committee Monday and county chairman Richard Schaffer has called for committee members to take a vote on who should succeed her.
The decision to step down, Ms. Laufer said, comes at a time of change in her personal life. Ms. Laufer, who resides with her husband, Henry, in East Setauket, said they will begin living down South in the winter months, but will continue to spend the summer and fall months here. Ms. Laufer said she will continue to assist with campaign work, citing the upcoming re-election bid for Rep. Timothy Bishop (D-Southampton) as one key race she hopes to remain active with.
"I'm looking forward to planning and assisting the leadership," Ms. Laufer said. "And continuing my role as a volunteer and also as a fundraiser."
During Ms. Laufer's tenure, Democrats were elected to their first Town Board majority in more than 30 years. The party has also won nine of the past 10 townwide elections.
Mr. Bishop's chief of staff, Jon Schneider, has thrown himself into the running. Mr. Schneider, 31, lives in Port Jefferson Station with his wife, Mary Ellen, and 2-year-old daughter, Eleanor.
In the course of his decision, Mr. Schneider said he has reached out to members of the committee and intends to make the rounds at the different Democratic Club meetings over the next few weeks to make his pitch to members.
"Like any election, you've got to ask for the votes," he said.
Mr. Schneider, who briefly served as Brookhaven deputy town supervisor under Brian Foley, said he would like to continue the work Ms. Laufer has done.
"Before Marsha Laufer, Brookhaven was really a one-party town," he said. "What we have seen over the last couple of years is that it has become a vibrant two-party town.
"I'm looking forward to continuing the work she started; at the end of the day, it's about winning an election."
Brookhaven Republican Committee chairman Jesse Garcia said he called Ms. Laufer Tuesday after he learned she would be stepping down next month. Mr. Garcia said he wished Ms. Laufer well, noting he has the "utmost respect for her." Mr. Garcia said he "battled it out" with Ms. Laufer for the better part of 2 1/2 years.
"She's a worthy opponent," he said. "With the amount of resources she was able to muster financially, we were always under the gun."
Mr. Garcia likened the changing of the Democratic guard to a turn in Brookhaven's political tide.
"She came in at the start of the Democratic wave and she is going out at the beginning of a strong Republican wave that is taking over in Suffolk County," Mr. Garcia said.
Ms. Laufer noted the Democrats have come a long way during her tenure and cited the party's registration as up 28 percent in contrast with Republicans, whose party registration has dropped 1 percent since 2002.
"We have worked hard to establish a solid infrastructure, and I believe that we have accomplished that and it's not time to sit back," Ms. Laufer said.
peggy@northshoresun.com
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