Democrat Dave Calone Throws Hat Into Ring For Suffolk Exec Run In 2023

SETAUKET, NY — Democrat Dave Calone, a former prosecutor, has announced he has gathered nearly $1 million in campaign contributions for his run to succeed Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, who is term-limited and will leave office at the end of 2023.

Calone, who lives in Setauket with his wife, a Presbyterian minister, and three children, said he is running to make sure that everyone benefits from the same kind of opportunities that he enjoyed growing up and living in Suffolk.

"I'm eager to get to work for the people of Suffolk, to enable everyone to have
the chance to get a good paying job, to protect our clean air and water, to help families
afford to live here, and to create safe, thriving communities," he added.

Calone served as both a federal and state prosecutor, where he investigated corporate fraud and terrorism, and also helped negotiate what was at the time the largest health care fraud recovery for taxpayers in New York's history.

He left law to become a business leader who has helped start and build technology companies on Long Island, as well as around the U.S., his campaign stated in a news release. He chaired Suffolk's planning commission for eight years, spearheading the creation of the county’s 2035 Comprehensive Master Plan, according to his campaign.

His work supporting renewable energy through unified solar permitting won Suffolk a National Association of Counties Achievement Award and he co-founded the Suffolk County Forward program, which is the county’s initiative to support local small businesses and workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, his campaign said.

Calone also chaired the county’s Superstorm Sandy Review Task Force.

Calone also created the Long Island Emerging Technologies Fund, which helped launch new companies based on innovations at Long Island’s research institutions and was the founding national board chair of Patriot Boot Camp, a not for profit that helps veterans, active-duty service members and military spouses start small businesses.

Calone has been endorsed by the RWDSU/UFCW Local 338, Iron Workers Local 361, IBEW Local 1049, and the state Iron Workers District Council. Leaders who have endorsed Calone include State Assemb. Steve Englebright, Suffolk County Legislature Minority Leader Jason Richberg, Legis. Kara Hahn, Southampton Town Councilman John Bouvier, and Brookhaven Town Councilman Jonathan Kornreich, and John Durso, president of RWDSU/UFCW Local 338.

Calone sought the Democratic line in the race for the First Congressional District held by U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, but lost to Anna Throne-Holst in 2016.