Riverhead Democrats Choose 2023 Candidates
Pictured Above (l-r): Josephine Makowski, Andrew Leven, Angela Devito, Rene Suprina and Lori Hulse are Riverhead Democrats’ candidates this year.
Riverhead Democrats announced Monday, March 6 that they have chosen Angela Devito, a former Riverhead School Board and Jamesport-South Jamesport Civic Association President, after a distinguished career in public health, as their candidate for Town Supervisor. They have chosen music educator Rene Suprina and attorney Andrew Leven to run for Town Board.
“Good government makes our lives, our communities better. But in the absence of good leadership, our path forward and the legacy we leave our children gets off track,” said Ms. Devito in the kick-off announcement. “I see my candidacy as an opportunity to bring responsible and effective leadership back to Town Hall.”
The candidates will face Republican Councilman Tim Hubbard for Town Supervisor, who is running with Planning Board Chair Joann Waski and retired Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney Denise Merrifield for Town Board.
Mr. Hubbard’s seat on the Town Board is up for election this year, along with Councilman Frank Beyrodt, who has chosen not to seek re-election. Incumbent Republican Town Supervisor Yvette Aguiar is also not seeking re-election.
“In deciding to put the good of the town over small town politics, the Riverhead Democrats made the bold decision not to challenge those incumbents who are serving our town well, instead focusing only on the positions in need of strong, dedicated candidates who will put Riverhead’s residents and future first,” said the party in its announcement of the candidates. “That the current Town Board voted against a public hearing says everything about how critical it is we elect true representatives of our residents.”
Ms. Suprina, who heads the Southold School District’s music department, holds SUNY degrees in arts and administration. Mr. Leven, a career federal prosecutor in the US Attorney’s office who currently serves as defense counsel with focus on regulatory and securities fraud, has recently moved to Riverhead.
Riverhead Democrats also announced Monday that they will back Josephine Makowski, who works in the IT department at Suffolk County Community College, for Town Clerk. Republicans are backing former Town Councilman Jim Wooten to run for Town Clerk.
Democrats have cross-endorsed incumbent Town Justice Lori Hulse, who has also received the Republican nomination, and has served on the town bench since 2016.
