U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin To Host Town Hall On Long Island On Saturday

LONG ISLAND, NY — Congressional Leader Rep. Jamie Raskin, a Democrat from Maryland, will host a town hall-style meeting this Saturday at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts.

The 1,000-seat venue sold out in a weekend, overflow seating is expected to take place nearby at 89 North, while officials expect possible dueling protests in the area.

Raskin has been a critical voice against President Donald Trump and House Republicans since the start of the year. He was the lead impeachment manager of Trump during the investigation into the Jan. 6th insurrection at the Capitol.

Patch has reached out to his office for comment.

Suffolk County Democratic Committee spokesman Keith Davies told Patch that the meeting was organized by a coalition of county and town Democratic leaders, as well as grassroots organizations.

The purpose is to give constituents on Long Island the chance to air their concerns and ask questions about the direction the federal government is headed, with key concerns including the fate of Medicare.

The town hall was organized in place of any in-person town halls held by the area's two Republican congressmen, Andrew Garbarino, whose district office is across the street from the theatre, and Nick LaLota, according to Davies.

LaLota held a tele-town hall in March, and Garbarino in April.

Patch has reached out to Garbarino and LaLota's offices for comment.

He described it as a "catch-all of Democrat and community events," which includes "people that have just been unhappy with the lack of representation that Suffolk County has had from their two members of Congress."

"Our two members of Congress aren't doing the job of a member of Congress of answering questions from their constituents," he said. "So Congressman Jamie Raskin is coming to Suffolk County to show his colleagues what it looks like to be a member of Congress the right way. "And he's going to take questions from constituents in Suffolk County, because the constituents of Suffolk County do not have a member of Congress that is responding to them and answering their questions and concerns."

Davies says he does not believe that Raskin will be the last person to come and host a town hall in Suffolk.

"If Congressman LaLota and Congressman Garbarino are going to continue to not host town hall meetings, then after Jamie we're going to be asking the next person that wants to come to Suffolk County and show these two other members of Congress what it looks like to do their job," he said, adding that after November 2026 the committee expects two new members of Congress, "because the residents of Suffolk County are known to be reelecting these people that are not doing their job."

HOW IT CAME ABOUT

Katheryn Casey-Quigley, the leader of Southold Town's Democratic Committee, said Raskin has visited the North Fork before and she reached out to get him involved in the town hall.

All of the town chairs came up with the idea of an outside person hosting a town hall while discussing what they could do "to build energy and support our communities, support people who are really upset because there's been a real void left by our congressmen LaLota and Garbarino," she said.

"They're refusing to hold in-person town halls," she said. "We want to be responsive to Long Island, so we were all working together — all the town chairs — to find someone."

GOP Chair Responds

Suffok GOP Chairman Jesse Garcia said he thinks the event is "more about problems of the Democratic Party here locally, that they embrace failed policies of far-left progressives that were rejected at the ballot box, not just in 2024 on a national level, but locally."

Dating as far back as 2021, local Democrats "have been embracing policies about allowing illegal, criminal migrants to roam our streets unimpeded, commit further crime, get free healthcare, clothes and debit cards, while middle class Suffolk residents foot the bill," he added.

If they want to continue with failed "national policies" left by former President Biden's administration, that is their "tactic," according to Garcia.

"As Republicans, we represent middle class voters," he said. "We represent small businesses, the firefighters, the frontline workers, the healthcare workers and law enforcement, the average citizen fighting to make Suffolk safer, more secure, and more affordable. We're being successful at it."

What Is Expected To Happen

This event, which will run from 1 to 4 p.m., at the theater is completely sold out, but due to high demand, additional attendees will be accommodated at 89 North around the corner, and as a result, chamber officials are expecting a significant increase in foot traffic and vehicle presence in the downtown area throughout the early afternoon, according to an email from the Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce to members on Tuesday.

"In addition, there will likely be a marching protest in the vicinity," chamber Executive Director Sylvana Aloisio said. "While this demonstration is anticipated to be peaceful and is protected under the First Amendment right to free speech, we recognize that this may pose temporary challenges to normal business operations."

Aloisio asked members to be aware that the Village of Patchogue is actively coordinating public safety efforts and may implement temporary road closures in the area. Parking lots near the theater, 89 North, and Main Street may experience high occupancy or limited access during this event. The village is doing everything possible to ensure the impact is managed smoothly and that the disruption is kept to a minimum.

"We understand the inconvenience this may pose and appreciate your patience and cooperation as we navigate these few hours together," she said. "Your flexibility and awareness are key to helping our community remain welcoming and safe."

Weighing Freedom Of Speech Against Concerns For Public Safety And Businesses

Patchogue Mayor Paul Pontieri said that the county's police department is putting together their tactical plan "to make sure everybody's safe."

Suffolk police confirmed they will present at the event.

Pontieri says he has concerns about the area around Main Street and Oak Street because Garbarino's office, which is "on the other side of the aisle is on the other side of the street."

"You got both sides of the aisle with one Street in the middle," he said.

"I don't know where it's going to go," he said, adding, that the village is prepared for public safety and will be putting up some bicycle barricades, "just to make sure people stay under control."

He feels bad for the businesses on Main Street.

They're the ones that just take a tremendous beating," he said.

A member of the business community recently told him that while they normally take in about $20,000 on a Saturday, they took a $9,000 hit, coming in at $11,000 the day before Easter, with the rallies that drew around 2,500 people outside of Garbarino's office.

"It's wonderful to see that the congressman is coming to do this town hall meeting, and people are engaged with Garbarino's side of it," he said of the opposite sides of Democrat and Republican. "It doesn't help businesses on Main Street at all."

Last weekend DelFiore's Pork Store and Mademoiselle Patisserie were "locked out due to all the craziness."

"I'm really concerned," he said. "My concern is about the businesses. Listen, every democracy, everybody, has their right to protest. They have the right to say what they want."

Pontieri thinks the protests will continue.

"My concern is about the businesses; the health and safety, and that they manage, safely," he said.

Davies declined comment.