Ed Romaine has held numerous roles as a public servant: county clerk, Suffolk County legislator in the First Legislative District, Brookhaven town economic development and housing offices – and now, Brookhaven town supervisor.
On Tuesday, Romaine, R-Center Moriches, won Brookhaven's special election for the supervisor seat vacated by Mark Lesko's surprise resignation in September. He defeated his Democratic opponent, Brian Beedenbender, with approximately 57 percent of the vote.
"I’m certainly prepared to step up. I think Brookhaven is facing great challenges," said Romaine, who served 16 years as county clerk before being elected to the legislature in 2005.
Romaine's win sets up a special election at some point this winter, according to Rich Schaeffer, head of the county's Democratic party.