Dems nominate attorney for trustee; GOP expected to back Bergen

Who said an even-numbered year means no local races in Southold Town?

Six months after residents voted in a town election with the largest number of candidates in decades, a special election for town Trustee is taking shape for Election Day.

The Southold Town Democratic Committee selected Abigail Field of Cutchogue as its candidate at its nominating convention, held Tuesday evening at Touch of Venice in Cutchogue.

The special election is required to fill the seat vacated in January by former trustee Bob Ghosio, who was elected to the Town Board last November. The winner will serve out the last 14 months of Mr. Ghosio’s term.

Incumbent Trustee Dave Bergen, who was not backed by Republicans for re-election last year but was appointed to the vacant seat as an interim trustee in February, is expected to receive the GOP nomination at the county convention in Coram Wednesday night.

A Democratic committeewoman, Ms. Field, 43, is an attorney and mother of two who moved to Cutchogue from Shelter Island in 2011.

“I’m very honored,” Ms. Field told the committee. “The Trustees play an important role. I will work hard for you and I will work hard for this job.”

She said her decision to run for office is the next step in a lifelong commitment to public service.

“I made a long-term commitment to this community when I moved here with my family,” she said. “And I’ve always been involved with public policy in my community.”

Ms. Field earned an undergraduate degree in geology from the University of Connecticut and studied urban planning at New York University before earning her law degree. She briefly worked briefly as an environmental consultant after graduating from college, she said.

“It is complimentary to the Democratic Party to have someone like Abigail Field to be our candidate for Southold Town Trustee,” said Art Tillman, chairman of the committee. “She’s hard working, talented and we’re lucky to have her on board.”

Ms. Field was one of two residents to interview for the post with the party screening committee, made up of Morgant Fiedler, Bill Stamatis and Bob Meguin.

Increased transparency, consistent decision making and shoreline access will be key issues in her campaign, Ms. Field said.