It’s official. Challenger Jerry Halpin has ousted Riverhead Supervisor Tim Hubbard.
Halpin narrowly defeated Hubbard by a margin of 37 votes, according to official results released by the Suffolk County Board of Elections this afternoon.
The final tally came after the completion of a manual recount of all votes cast, which began yesterday morning and concluded midday today.
The final tally was 3,958 votes for Halpin to 3,921 votes for Hubbard.
Hubbard, who served on the Town Board for eight years before being elected supervisor in 2023, was seeking re-election to a second term as supervisor.
Halpin, a newcomer to electoral politics, is pastor at the North Shore Christian Church in Riverhead.
“I look forward to getting to work and putting the taxpayers first,” the supervisor-elect said in a phone interview. “I’m excited. I want to get to work. I plan on leading well and leading by example— servant leadership with humility,” Halpin said.
“We will lead our town together,” he said, referring to the rest of the Town Board. Halpin, who is not registered to any political party, will take his seat as the only member of the Town Board who is not a Republican.
“Thank you to all of the workers who did the recount and took time to ensure its accuracy,” he said.
Supervisor Tim Hubbard issued a statement acknowledging the result and wishing his successor well.
“I fully respect both the process and the outcome,” he said in the statement released by his office.
“The people have spoken, and while the result was not what I had hoped for, I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition for Supervisor-elect Halpin,” Hubbard said.
“I encourage everyone to support Supervisor-elect Halpin as we work together to move Riverhead forward,” he said.
“It has truly been an honor and a privilege to serve as an elected official for the Town of Riverhead over the past 10 years,” Hubbard said. “I truly love the Town of Riverhead and have always believed in the immense potential this town holds. It has so much to offer, and I remain optimistic about its future,” he said.
Hubbard thanked the residents who supported him and voted for him. “You gave me the opportunity to serve in a way that very few get to experience and I will carry those experiences with me, forever,” he said.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with statements from Supervisor-elect Jerry Halpin and Supervisor Tim Hubbard.
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