Long Island moves further into the red as GOP Suffolk County executive is sworn in
Long Island is seeing red.
The GOP formally took over the former Democratic stronghold of Suffolk County Monday — as Republican Ed Romaine was sworn into office as County Executive Monday.
Romaine’s installation marked him as the first member of the GOP to hold the seat in 20 years following an easy win over David Calone last year — and it cemented the party’s takeover of every major office on Long Island.
Romaine, who ran as a tough-on-crime candidate and secured the support of the Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association, reiterated his commitment to keeping residents safe at the ceremony at Eastport South Manor Junior-Senior High School.
“It’s going to be a new day in Suffolk County,” he declared to The Post in an exclusive interview afterward. “I’m going to make sure police and district attorneys have everything they need. Some of the basics that aren’t Republican-Democrat things… such as funding a new forensic lab.”
“Things that have to be done,” he said, but added, “I am looking to make Suffolk County government more cost-efficient.”
His rise to the top county office spot, replacing Steve Bellone who held the seat for 12 years, was the last domino to fall for the Dems on Long Island, giving Republicans a clean sweep of all the major local offices.
Over the last few years, the red wave in the counties outside of New York City has led to GOP victories in now both Nassau and Suffolk county executive seats, as well as district attorneys and comptrollers.
Nassau County party leader Joe Cairo said the GOP wins have led to a renewed “enthusiasm” across the island.
“We got the issues, to cashless bail, holding the line on taxes,” Cairo said. “People are fed up with it, that’s why.”
“Even traditional Democrats are voting with us,” he said, adding that progressives have taken over the party.
The county chairman spoke to The Post after leaving the swearing-in of three new Republican councilmembers in Long Beach, another major win for the GOP, giving their party a majority on the council for the first time in years.
Democratic political consultant Ken Frydman said the wins have been long in the works.
“It’s Long Island man, it’s turning redder,” the operative said, explaining raising taxes, an uptick in crime and a rise in homelessness has pushed voters to the GOP.
And then, there’s the asylum seeker crisis, Frydman said.
“They are scared of getting stuck with migrant workers. It’s the urban ills encroaching on the suburbs.”
Romaine reveled in the increased support for his fellow Republicans when he spoke to The Post but said he’s the same politician that he’s been for nearly four decades.
“I think the tide is changing but fortunately I haven’t changed… I’ve been around so long and met so many people which led to a packed house,” he said.
Romaine said his longtime retail politics was the main reason for his bi-partisan welcome to office, with hundreds in attendance for his ceremony, including US Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and fellow Republicans, House members Nick LaLota (NY-1) and Andrew Garbarino (NY-2).
The GOP now has its sights set on reclaiming all four congressional seats after the ousting of well-known liar Rep. George Santos last year, sparking a special election next month.
The Republican hopeful, Mazi Pilip, 44, is set to square off against Democratic ex-Rep. Tom Suozzi on Feb. 13. The Dems are pouring tons of money into the race to try to slow the GOP’s momentum ahead of next year’s election while the Republicans hope to put another check mark in the recent win column.
“I think we’re in good stead,” Cairo said confidently.
