Politics

Otis Pike's campaigns were notoriously frugal, hard-hitting, intelligent and witty — like the congressman himself. He represented the NY-1 from 1961 to 1979.

The three-term councilman has been term-limited under a new law passed by the town board in 2016. He can't seek re-election as councilman, but he can run for town supervisor.

The Riverhead Democratic committee unanimously supported the slate of candidates presented by the screening committee at their nominating convention last night.

Voters and elections are mere afterthoughts when the party bosses meet behind closed doors to pick candidates and cut cross-endorsement deals.

It's a first in Riverhead's 225-year history: a ticket of three women seeking election to the town board.

A self-confessed presidential news conference groupie, Greg Blass reflects on how point-counterpoint of the past has evolved into punch-counterpunch, with news conferences suited less for the East Room and more for Madison Square Garden.

Is there room for civil discourse anymore, as ridicule and disrespect take a tighter grip on both sides? Seeing the problem this way may help solve it. Is there any hope for the approach Abe Lincoln prescribed: "with malice toward none?"

I haven't shared my opinions much, for a host of reasons. Yesterday, someone I’ve known a long time, someone I thought knew me well enough to not have to ask, inquired if I am supporting Trump. I was dumbfounded for a second. But it made me realize how silent I've been.

Former county legislator Greg Blass, known as a 'maverick' for his unwillingness to play with the party bosses, makes a case for getting involved in politics and the dangers of leaving government up to people who are in it, not for public service, but for their own self-interests.

Cross-endorsement deals give Suffolk's Conservative Party far too much sway.