With Schneiderman to be Term-Limited Out, Amos Goodman Throws His Hat in the Ring

Springs political and business consultant Amos Goodman announced Sunday morning that he plans to seek the Republican nomination to run for the Suffolk County Second Legislative seat to be vacated by Jay Schneiderman at the end of the year.

Mr. Schneiderman, a former East Hampton Town Supervisor who has served as the county legislator from the South Fork for 12 years, currently serves as the deputy presiding officer of the legislature.

Mr. Schneiderman, a former Republican and current Independence Party member, will be unable to run for office again due to term limit restrictions.

“We deserve effective and strong representation at the county, and a leader willing to fight for our residents and our businesses,” said Mr. Goodman, 31, in a press release Sunday. “I won’t allow our towns and residents to be further imperiled by our county government’s reckless spending. The unwillingness and inability to fix the county’s budgetary crisis will impact the second district especially hard. I intend to build upon Jay Schneiderman’s work, however it is time for fresh leadership for the South Fork.”

Mr. Goodman is a founder of the Political Action Committee Forward Long Island, formed in 2013 to promote candidates on the East End who favor local control and personal and economic liberties.

Mr. Goodman received his bachelors degreen in political science from the University of Chicago and received his masters degree in national security studies from Georgetown University. He is a member of International Institute for Strategic Studies, the National Rifle Association, and the Human Rights Campaign.

According to Forward Long Island, Mr. Goodman has worked as a corporate and political strategist, finance professional, and defense analyst.

He has worked for The Cohen Group, a business consulting and lobbying firm in Washington, D.C. founded by former Clinton Defense Secretary William Cohen, and served as a fellow at the Project For National Security Reform between 2007 and 2008.

Mr. Goodman is a recently appointed member of the Springs Citizens Advisory Committee and a sportsman, motorcyclist and member of the Maidstone Gun Club.

If selected as the county GOP’s candidate at their convention in May, Mr. Goodman would also be the first openly gay Republican candidate on Long Island, but Mr. Goodman said on Twitter this morning that his campaign “will be about issues, not identities.”

Republican leaders throughout the county have already thrown their support behind Mr. Goodman, who said he plans to also seek the endorsement from the Conservative and Independence parties.

“Amos is the ideal candidate for this district, able to connect with voters and effectively articulate the fiscally responsibly principles we stand for,” said Suffolk GOP Chairman John Jay LaValle. “His proven private sector experience and engaging personality make him a highly impressive, and formidable, candidate. I am confident he has what it takes to win, and to be a strong leader in the legislature.”

“Amos just gets it. He will be a tremendous asset to our potential slate of candidates, and will be the fighter Southampton needs in Hauppauge,” said Southampton GOP Chairman William Wright.

East Hampton GOP Chairman Tom Knobel agreed.

“I am honored that someone of Amos’s caliber is willing to come forward and serve our community. He will make a highly effective Legislator,” he said.

County Democrats have not yet unveiled their candidate for the November election.