Schaffer: Hopes Levy Loses as Republican

To drive along Horseblock Road in October is to find oneself facing a barrage of political campaign posters across from the Flaming Hearth in Farmingville.  The reason is simple: The Brookhaven Democratic Headquarters is located in that shopping area on that side of the road.  That means a virtual cavalcade of elected officials and party chiefs are frequent visitors to the area. One such person is the head of the Suffolk County Democrats, Rich Schaffer. 

Schaffer says he became active in politics at the tender age of 12 when he worked on Tom Downey's campaign for Congress in 1974. He was good friends with Downey's brother, Jeff.  Throughout junior high and high school, Schaffer continued working on various campaigns. At SUNY Albany, he became student government president for two years. After school and law school, Schaffer ran for the county legislature in 1987. He muses that he "wasn't supposed to win but got elected anyhow."

He was re-elected twice and ran for Babylon Supervisor in 1992 when Arthur Pitts left.  Serving nine years in that position, he became party chairman in 2000. 

Speaking from his office in Bohemia, Schaffer impresses his visitor with his directness.  His clear blue eyes focus directly at the person he's addressing and holds his glance in a way that is both confident and assuring. 

When asked what he felt his greatest achievement has been in his current position, Schaffer gives four: "Making us more competitive is one. It's a Republican County the enrollment favors the Republicans; taking advantage of the Republicans at a weak moment during the last decade; and recruiting strong candidates who can connect with voters and who are committed to doing good government. Lastly, we have to provide the resources  to be competitive." 

One thing Schaffer would like to see with his party is getting them back to basics.  "We have to reconnect with voters. I think so many people are becoming reliant on the internet and television ads when, in fact, it would be much better if we got back out and knocked on doors to talk one-on-one with people. I think if we do that we win. Look, Steve Levy made a career out of it, I did it, Steve Bellone did it.  All these people who were successful and gained the edge over the opposing party did it because of the personal contact."

Speaking of Steve Levy, Schaffer is understandably disappointed in the County Executive's decision to switch parties and run for Governor of New York as a Republican. 

"It was a punch in the gut to me because we'd worked together on a lot of good things," he said. "I asked him not to do it but he's made his own decision.  At the end of the day he's going to realize he's made a terrible mistake but he has to realize that on his own. He and I will always be friends but as I told him when he made the decision: I will do everything I can to beat him this year if he's on the ballot for Governor, and I'll do everything I can to beat him next year when he runs for County Executive as a Republican."

That said, one can sense that the Democrats will have plenty of activity in the next few years.  With Rich Schaffer overseeing his party, this community can expect plenty of strong candidates and an equal amount of knocking on our doors during the campaigns—to say nothing of more campaign posters on Horseblock Road.