LONG BEACH, N.Y. (AP) — A political candidate from a New York City suburb went for a night swim in the Atlantic Ocean this spring and never returned.
Petros Krommidas’ cell phone, keys and clothes were found on the beach in Long Beach, Long Island. The 29-year-old former Ivy League rower, who was training for a triathlon, had parked his car just off a picturesque wooden boardwalk.
As the months passed, local Democrats attempted to field a replacement to run for the Nassau County Legislature seat.
But two Republican voters took them to court and won. A state judge recently ordered Cromidas’ name to remain on the November ballot, ruling that he remains missing and not officially dead.
As Election Day nears, voters in Long Beach and other South Shore areas face an interesting choice: re-elect a Republican incumbent or a Democrat who seemed lost at sea.
Democrats want to elect a missing candidate
James Hodge is among those urging residents to vote for Cromidas regardless, hoping to trigger a special election that would allow Democrats to field another candidate to challenge County Councilman Patrick Malaney.
The Long Beach resident worked with Cromidas on the Nassau County Board of Elections and was nominated by the Democratic Party to run in his place.
“We need to stand by and honor his name and memory,” Hodge told The Associated Press. “Let’s give him the victory. It’s the right thing to do.”
Republican voters argued in their lawsuit that Democrats cannot claim Cromidas is dead because authorities still consider him a missing person. Under the law, they argued, a person must be missing for at least three years to be legally declared dead.
Judge Gary Nobel agreed, writing in his Sept. 29 ruling that “‘missing person’ status does not constitute a fillable vacancy.”
The deceased candidate has won elections before.
In his ruling, the judge noted that a similar situation existed in Alaska decades ago.
US Congressman Nicholas Begich Sr. Missing in a plane crash Although it was just weeks before the 1972 vote, he still won reelection. The Alaska Democratic Party was ultimately declared dead, and its Republican opponent claimed the seat in a special election.
said Dennis Hoff, a Nevada brothel owner who was recently featured in the HBO documentary series “Cathouse.” passed away a few weeks ago He also won a seat in the state legislature in the 2018 election. 2022 Pennsylvania State Representative Anthony DeLuca He was re-elected posthumously. From lymphoma in the previous month.
Hodge and other Democrats argue that Republicans are trying to secure a majority on the county council and only filed the lawsuit to ensure their victory. They argue that the lawsuit will only prolong the suffering of Cromdus’ family.
“I understand politics, but it’s time to stop and be human,” said Ellen Lederer DeFrancesco, who met Cromidas through the local Democratic Party. “Petros is someone’s son, brother, and friend.”
In a statement, Nassau County Republican Committee Chairman Joseph Cairo Jr. vowed that the party and its candidates “will show the highest level of care for the Cromdus family during this difficult time.”
Krommidas’ family declined to comment when contacted by phone, but his mother and sister recently shared posts on Facebook asking residents to “respectfully vote” for Krommidas.
“My Peter cares deeply about people and his community and continues to inspire kindness and unity in our community,” says his mother Maria. I wrote in her post.
His sister, Eleni Lemonia Krommidas, said of him: in her own post As a first-generation American who loved his country and “believed in the power of equality, education, and unity.”
Voters hear their opinions on the beach where he disappeared
Days after his disappearance, family and friends joined first responders in searching a large stretch of sand more than three miles (4.8 kilometers) long in Long Beach, just east of Queens, New York.
Some of the missing person flyers with photos of Chromemidas’s youthful smile are tattered and faded, but they still remain on utility poles around Long Beach.
Meanwhile, campaign signs for his opponent, Mr. Ma Rainey, are prominently displayed on fences along main streets and on lawns in neat residential areas. The Republican Party did not respond to emails seeking comment.
Long Beach boardwalk resident Maude Carione said last week she was stunned by the choices voters will face in November.
“It’s insane to leave your name on the ballot. It’s going to confuse people,” said the 72-year-old, who supports Republican President Donald Trump but had no intention of voting in the upcoming election, which will largely be about rural races. “To be fair, we have to give the Democratic Party a chance with another candidate. We have to do that.”
For resident Regina Pecorella, the decision was tough, but clear.
“If it’s between these two, I’ll vote for the living person,” said the 54-year-old independent, who voted straight for the Republican candidate in the last election. “I don’t know how else to answer.”
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Follow Philip Marcelo https://x.com/philmarcelo
