Southold Democratic Chairwoman Who Helped Build Town Party Base Will Step Down

Pictured Above: Kathryn Casey Quigley (left) introduced Town Board candidates Al Krupski, Anne Smith and Gwynn Schroeder at this year’s Southold Democratic nominating convention.

Southold Town Democrats announced Wednesday, May 10 that their Committee Chair, Kathryn Casey Quigley, who was instrumental in electing Democratic candidates and increasing party registration in this historically Republican town, is stepping down from her role on June 1.

The Southold Democratic Committee will hold a special election to fill Ms. Casey Quigley’s shoes at the end of the year, and in the interim her duties will be shared by three active committee members — Sandra Benedetto, Alison Delaney and Candace Hall.

Ms. Casey Quigley was elected Chairwoman in January 2018, and was at the helm of the party as it transformed the political landscape in Southold, registering Democratic voters in such volume that they now exceed Republicans in Southold, and achieving several election victories that have given Democrats three of six seats on a Town Board that had long been in solely Republican hands. The party has also achieved success in other town elected positions.

Ms. Casey Quigley, an educator, began her tenure as Chairwoman with the goals of positioning Democratic candidates to win by “building the party’s organizational infrastructure, communicating the Democratic platform, and holding accountable the GOP leadership, who in 2018 held the majority in Southold Town government,” according to the Democrats’ announcement that she was stepping down. Ms. Casey Quigley will continue to serve as Second Vice Chair of the Suffolk County Democratic Committee.

“I am so proud of what our committee has accomplished over the past several years. It’s a credit to the collective action of committed and hardworking people who care about their community,” said Ms. Casey Quigley. “While the time is right in my professional and personal life to take a step back, I look forward to remaining engaged in Democratic advocacy in both Southold and Suffolk County. I am excited for the future and have great confidence in the phenomenal slate of Democratic candidates running for Town office this year. I am deeply grateful to all the committee people, volunteers, and elected officials, for their fortitude and passion for this community, and for their steadfast belief in change.”

“The Democratic Party of Southold Town and Suffolk County owe Kathryn Casey Quigley a great debt,” said Sandra Benedetto, the town party’s First Vice Chair, who will oversee operations of the Southold Democratic Committee until the special election. “She has made a significant contribution to our party, and I am confident she will be as successful in her future pursuits as she was as our Committee Chair. Under her leadership, the party is stronger and more focused, with a clear plan for leading Southold forward.”

Second Vice ChairAlison Delaney has already stepped into the role of Campaign Coordinator for the 2023 campaigns and Third Vice Chair Candace Hall will assume responsibilities for fundraising and events.

Other members of the Southold Town Democratic Executive Committee are Jane Flinter, Secretary;
Gwynn Schroeder, Treasurer; George Summers, Financial Secretary; Nicholas Deegan and Christina
Larkin, Election District Leaders; and Lynn Summers, Historical Advisor.