Thus far, one big advantage East Hampton Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez has received from becoming the chosen candidate of the East Hampton Town Democratic Committee at its Jan. 14 nominating convention is that it and the Suffolk County Democratic Committee have since been attacking her primary opponent, East Hampton Village Mayor Jerry Larsen.
In just the last two weeks, the county Democrats have accused Mr. Larsen of party raiding and violating campaign finance law.
The most recent shot fired was a threatened lawsuit in a Feb. 4 letter from Rich Schaffer, the chairman of the Suffolk County Democratic Committee.
He gave Mr. Larsen a week to return $62,450 to 37 donors he said Mr. Larsen’s team should have known had over-contributed to his primary campaign, threatening litigation if that didn’t happen.
“Your campaign’s acceptance of corporate contributions in amounts of $5,000.00 and other sums in excess of the applicable election limits constitutes ongoing violations of New York State Election Law,” read the letter.
According to the Suffolk County Board of Elections 2025 Contribution Limitations Index, in the Town of East Hampton, the maximum contribution that can be made in the town supervisor primary race is $1,000 per year.
While corporations are allowed to donate up to $5,000 in a calendar year, it’s an aggregate amount “for any and all political contributions made by that corporation within the State of New York and does not override the contribution limitations that the various candidates and committees can receive,” reads a note in the index.
In other words, for the 2026 town supervisor primary race, a corporation could have donated $1,000 in 2025, and another $1,000 in 2026. Once the primary is over, they could donate again for the general election.
Mr. Larsen accepted 14 separate $5,000 donations and reported them all for use in the primary race. According to the Suffolk County Democrats, he should have to return $4,000 of each — or $56,000 — to put him in compliance for 2025. Using the same thinking, he received one contribution of $2,500 and would lose $1,500 of that sum, and 22 donations of $1,225, potentially a loss of another $4,950. However, a family is allowed to contribute a maximum of $2,451 and many of the $1,225 donations were made by husband-and-wife teams, so they may be reclassified as family donations.
On Monday, Mr. Larsen said his campaign was looking into the committee’s accusations.
“I’m grateful for the overwhelming support our campaign has received from East Hampton residents,” he wrote in a text. “We’ve raised over $100,000 more than our opponent, which reflects the community’s confidence in our leadership and vision for the town, a major story she is seeking to diminish.”
“Campaign finance reporting involves detailed requirements, and we work closely with compliance counsel to ensure accuracy,” he continued. “If administrative corrections are needed, we’ll make them promptly and transparently; however the chairman’s math is incorrect, and we’ll address it in due time.”
“County political operatives who don’t live in our town and don’t have a vote here shouldn’t be trying to dictate local elections. East Hampton residents are smart enough to make their own decisions based on what’s best for our community. This election should be about our record of achievement and our plans for East Hampton’s future,” he concluded.
Apart from the “attack dog” advantage the committees give to Ms. Burke-Gonzalez, they are also allowed to receive far more in contributions, in 2025, up to $117,300 per individual.
As of the January filing, Mr. Larsen’s campaign had spent $42,611, with about half going to Century Direct, a direct mailing service. The campaign also spent $4,900 on a campaign kickoff party at the Clubhouse, $1,200 on a D.J., $2,000 on a website, and another $3,000 on a bookkeeper.
If the campaign returned the excess money, his financial disclosure would be reduced to $69,550. Less his expenses, he’d have $26,939 on hand to get him to the June 23 primary election.
As of yesterday, the Jerry Larsen for Supervisor campaign had yet to return any money.
If the Suffolk County Democrats carry through on their threats, their next steps will be lodge a formal complaint with the New York State Board of Elections calling for a formal investigation and audit of Mr. Larsen’s campaign and a court order from the State Supreme Court to force his return of “unlawful contributions.”
“This notice is sent in good faith and with the intent of securing voluntary compliance with New York State Election Law,” wrote Mr. Schaffer. “We strongly encourage your prompt attention to this matter.”
