Coates schedules ‘special gathering’ to announce political intentions
It appears Anthony Coates, political adviser to Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter, is ready to announce he’s going to run for office next year.
Mr. Coates said Wednesday that he’s hosting a “special gathering” Nov. 15 in which he plans to make his political intentions known.
“I am willing to say on the record that I’ve formed a campaign committee for an undeclared office and I’ll be holding an event on Nov. 15 announcing my intentions,” Mr. Coates said.
The gathering will be held at Jedediah Hawkins Inn in Jamesport at 6 p.m. Mr. Coates, who changed his registration from Democrat to Republican in July, has already established two political fundraising committees, one in his name and the other called “Vote Coates 13.” There are both Town Board elections and elections for the Suffolk County Legislature slated for Nov. 2013. The campaign committees do not specify what position Mr. Coates is seeking.
Which seats are up for election could be impacted by the upcoming vote for Brookhaven Town Supervisor, where current North Fork county legislator Ed Romaine is running for the vacant Brookhaven supervisor post as a Republican in a special election against Democratic Brian Beedenbender on Nov. 6. Mr. Romaine is considered by many a favorite to win that seat.
If Mr. Romaine wins, and a member of the Riverhead Town Council is ultimately elected to his legislative seat, an opening on the Town Board would exist. Councilman John Dunleavy has publicly stated that he’s interested in the legislature seat if it becomes vacant, and other council members have also been suggested as possible candidates for the county seat.
Councilwoman Jodi Giglio said Wednesday that she’s also interested in succeeding Mr. Romaine.
“Ed Romaine has been a champion for Riverhead, and I would want to keep that momentum going if he leaves the legislature,” she said.
Mr. Coates said he’s making his announcement now since 2013 presents a unique opportunity.
“To those that think it’s an oddity to announce you’re candidacy so soon, it’s completely because of the nature of what 2013 will become because of the high likeliness that there will be a vacancy in the county legislature, and that will form a political congo line of people looking to seek other offices,” he said.
