TeamKCQ County Clerk Endorsement Program

Seeking Write-in Democratic County Clerk Candidates!

We believe voters deserve a choice on the ballot, and we’re launching an independent endorsement effort to support a write-in candidate.

Wait, why don’t the Democrats already have a candidate for County Clerk?

Well, we did. But, suddenly, in mid-August, that candidate left the ballot line after the County Democratic Chair allegedly told him that a prior deal between the party bosses needed to be honored—that the Clerk not have an opponent. In other words, the three town chairs were colluding to fix the race for the incumbent Republican. Learn a bit about him below!

Despite mighty efforts from hundreds of volunteers to compel the Democratic County Chair to name a new Democratic candidate for Clerk, he refused to do so.

If Kathryn Casey Quigley wins the Chair race, she pledges to endorse the TeamKCQ write-in candidate as the County Democrats’ candidate for Clerk.

Who is the incumbent?

The incumbent is Vincent Puleo, a Republican who Newsday exposed as playing a role in the operation of a foot spa that acted as an illegal sexual massage parlor. Prior to that, he was Town Clerk for Smithtown, where discussions to bring legislation to regulate massage parlors mysteriously and suddenly came to a stop. The same Newsday article has more.

Take part in the endorsement process

Convinced we need a strong candidate and campaign for Clerk? Great! We invite you to either apply to be a County Clerk candidate or participate in the write-in screening process happening in early September.

Prospective candidates

Apply by September 6

The application includes a link to or overview of your resume and three references with contact information.

Complete the candidate form

Suffolk County Democrats

Join the September 10 screening

Any registered Democrat in Suffolk County is invited to participate. The Zoom screening begins at 7 PM.

Register for the Zoom screening

What’s next

  1. September 6

    Applications close

    Prospective candidates must submit the application by this date.

  2. By September 8

    Finalists are notified

    A subcommittee of TeamKCQ volunteers will vet the applications, narrow the field to up to three top candidates, and notify the finalists.

  3. September 10 at 7 PM

    Screening interviews

    Each finalist will sit before Zoom participants for no longer than 30 minutes.

  4. Monday, September 14

    Final decision

    Team KCQ will select its endorsed write-in candidate.