Former Southampton Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst won the June 28 Democratic congressional primary against venture capitalist David Calone by a 319-vote margin Friday after all the absentee ballots were counted, officials said.
Throne-Holst will go on to challenge freshman U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) in the November elections. That race is for New York’s First Congressional District, which includes the five East End towns and the Town of Brookhaven. Throne-Holst had a 29-vote lead that was too close to call on primary night.
“I am deeply grateful to all who placed their trust and support in me,” Throne-Holst said in a statement. “I am truly humbled by the privilege it has been to get to know, share the concerns and my message with so many.”
Throne-Holst congratulated Calone, a former federal prosecutor, on a “spirted race.” In a statement, Calone thanked his supporters, who he urged to vote for Throne-Holst.
“We cannot continue being represented by Congressman Lee Zeldin, one of Donald Trump’s loudest advocates in Washington,” he said. “So I urge people across eastern Long Island to join me in supporting our Democratic nominee, Anna Throne-Holst, to replace him this November.”
Brookhaven Town Republican Chairman Jesse Garcia issued a statement condemning Throne-Holst.
“Anna Throne-Holst is a carbon copy of Nancy Pelosi, right down to her dishonest politics, ineffective liberal policies and utter lack of vision for the direction our nation should take,” Garcia said, calling Zeldin “the right leader for the job.”
Throne-Holst also looked to Election Day.
“ I look forward to working together with Democrats across the district to take back this important seat,” she said, referencing Zeldin unseating former U.S. Rep. Tim Biship (D-Southampton) two years ago. “Lee Zeldin has shown in every way how out of step and wrong he is not only for Long Island, but for the country.”
The Throne-Holst vs. Calone race was one of three Democratic congressional primaries on June 28. Former Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi won a five-way race for the Democratic line in the campaign to replace outgoing U.S. Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington) in the third district covering the North Shore from western Suffolk into eastern Queens. Suozzi will face New York State Sen. Jack Martins (R-Mineola), who might face a primary, depending upon whether his challenger, Philip Pidot, is successful in court.
In the third Democratic congressional primary on Long Island last month, U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Queens) fended off challenger Ari Miraz, a publicist from Elmont. Meeks represents the fifth district, which includes part of western Nassau.
