'After Truly Listening,' Wooten Backs Down From Supervisor Bid

Councilman Jim Wooten -  - announced Saturday morning that he will attempt to defend his expiring town council seat and seek the GOP nomination for town council instead.

"After truly listening to you, and reviewing our party’s challenges this November, I believe I can best serve our common interests by seeking re-election as Councilman," he stated in an email, sent to the town's Republican Committee members and forwarded to the media.

Wooten elaborated on his letter in an interview on Saturday morning.

"I talked to the committee people and had heart-to-heart conversations with many of them," he said. "I had more support than I thought. Just not enough ... if there was more support, it would have been a whole different campaign."

Had Wooten made a bid for supervisor and lost, he would have left the opportunity to defend his expiring seat behind him. Jim Teese, Wooten's campaign manager, pointed out that Wooten never officially launched a run for supervisor. 

"This wasn't a change in heart," Teese said. "Jim never used the word 'primary.' He offered his leadership; he offered the idea that he was the best person to lead the ticket. In any case, he expected to be on the ticket."

Wooten originally caused a stir just over a month ago when he.

In days following Wooten's announcement, the two exchanged barbs. Walter knocked Wooten's track record, telling a reporter to, "ask him what his accomplishments are."

Walter also promised to run a primary campaign - and if he lost a primary battle, create his own political party - if Wooten did indeed receive the party's nomination, saying Wooten's decision "makes zero sense."

Wooten cited Walter's "paranoia" and inability to work well with other board members as reasons he would be better fit for the position.

Wooten confirmed Saturday that in an effort to seek cross-endorsement should he have earned the GOP nod, he had screened with the Democratic Party, since Walter (an ex-Conservative Party chairman) is confident he will be endorsed by the Conservative and Independence Parties.

Wooten said on Saturday that the shot-taking should be put behind them. 

"What's more important is that the differences between Sean and I be worked out between ourselves and we keep the town moving where it needs to go," he said.

Republican Committee Chairman John Galla  Wooten would seek his council seat, though Wooten decided instead to screen for supervisor. Galla said in an interview on Saturday morning that in following weeks, the three spoke on a near-daily basis, which proved vital to finding a common ground.

"The secret was that the communication process never broke down," Galla said. "We always kept the communication process going, though it was difficult at times."

The Riverhead Republican Committee is holding its nominating convention on Thursday night, May 19, at the Elks Lodge.