Letters

As the presumptive “henchwoman” of the Southampton Democratic Committee (thanks for the laugh!) [“House of Cards,” Letters, April 10], I want Southampton Democrats to understand that they are being fed a steady diet of misinformation, half-truths and outright lies by a small group of disgruntled letter writers who do not have the best interests of the committee at heart. I will address two of them.

Craig Catalanotto was once a member of our committee and a Democratic candidate for Town Council in 2019. The committee enthusiastically endorsed and supported him. Mr. Catalanotto lost his election and blamed the committee for a cross-endorsement that did not go his way. He dropped off the committee and primarily endorses Republican candidates.

Jesse Warren, who was ousted as Southampton Village mayor by voters in 2023, sought endorsement by the Southampton Town Democratic Committee to run for Town Board. Mr. Warren went through the same screening process as every other candidate and was one of many who did not receive endorsement.

He had a second chance, like all candidates, to request nomination from the floor at our nominating convention and seek endorsement by the full committee. He also had the option to primary our endorsed candidates. He chose not to exercise either right.

Instead, he chose to engage in a stealth campaign to disrupt the operation of the committee and hurt the endorsed candidates so he could demonstrate our error in not endorsing him. Sour grapes?

And what did Mr. Warren do next? He sought the Republican nomination for town supervisor to run against our superb Democratic Supervisor Maria Moore. Let that sink in.

Neither gentleman, nor anyone else, has ever been prevented from screening with us or seeking a leadership position within the committee. Challengers are welcome (there have been several), and change is encouraged.

Instead, both gentlemen prefer to snipe at Gordon Herr and committee leadership and leak misinformation to the press. One can only surmise that their intentions are motivated by self-interest. Otherwise, why seek to sabotage our chances of electing Democratic candidates? Shame on them.

All organizations experience growing pains, and we have matured greatly as an organization over the past 10 years. We have helped elect many Democrats, welcomed many new talented members and enjoy an atmosphere of collegiality, inclusivity and shared mission. In 2020, the committee passed “Rules and Regulations” setting forth expectations for membership, internal communication, and a uniform screening and selection process in every election.

We dispute the claims that there was anything underhanded about our endorsement process. Cross-endorsements are legal and common under New York State election law. They have been taking place in Southampton for decades.

We also dispute the claim that Mr. Herr makes decisions unilaterally. This is untrue and offensive to our many active members.

Andrea Klausner

Vice Chair

Southampton Town Democratic Committee