Suffolk Comptroller John Kennedy Jr. raises funds with eye toward future

Suffolk Comptroller John M. Kennedy Jr. has positioned himself for a future political run — possibly county executive — as campaign filings show he's continuing to fundraise even as his current seat is term-limited next year.

As election season heats up for 2025, where the focus is primarily on local town races and Suffolk County Legislature seats, Kennedy hosted a Sept. 9 golf outing fundraiser. Donations went to his authorized committee, Friends of John M. Kennedy Jr.

State election law allows an official to maintain an authorized committee and raise funds even when term-limited, which opens the door for an official like Kennedy to solicit donations without declaring a run for any office. Such funds can be used to support his own political ambitions or those of his allies.

Kennedy told Newsday he would "absolutely" be interested in running for county executive but would "never ever ever" challenge fellow Republican Edward P. Romaine, whose term runs through 2027.

"Would I be interested in county executive in the future? If the opportunity was there, absolutely, of course I would be," Kennedy, 69, said, while adding that there could be other positions he may consider as well.

At the fundraiser in Manorville at Rock Hill Golf and Country Club, participants paid $300, or $1,100 for a foursome, and $150 for dinner and cocktail hour, according to an advertisement. Sponsorships ranged from $200 for a tee sign to $7,500 for a tournament sponsor that included two foursomes and 10 additional dinner tickets, according to the advertisement.

Suffolk GOP chairman Jesse Garcia said the party is currently focused on the 2025 elections and Romaine has not given him any indication he would not seek a second term.

Kennedy raised $53,475 during the Jan. 15-to-July 15 filing period, bringing the committee’s balance to $162,683, according to public filings. The committee spent $36,076 during the period with contributions earmarked to several Republican groups.

Romaine raised $251,276 through his committee Romaine For Suffolk during the Jan. 15-to-July 15 filing period, according to public filings. His account has a balance of $674,430.

By comparison, Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst), who is also term-limited in his position in the Suffolk County Legislature, has raised $0 during the same time period, according to public filings.

Romaine, 78, has not definitively indicated if he will seek a second term.

"County Executive Romaine is focused on making Suffolk County safer and more affordable for every resident," said Mike Martino, Romaine’s spokesperson, in response to a question about Romaine’s future.

Kennedy unsuccessfully ran for county executive in 2019. He lost to Steve Bellone, a Democrat who was reelected to his third and final term. Romaine’s victory in 2023 swung the county executive seat from Democrat to Republican.

The comptroller position has a 12-year term limit and Kennedy was first elected in 2014.

His wife, Legis. Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset), is seeking reelection in the 12th District in November.

If Romaine did opt against seeking a second term, Kennedy said he would expect several people to vie for the opening and that there would be "a lot of factors that would come into play as far as who ultimately gets chosen."

"Under no circumstances ever, ever would I challenge or urge or consider the current county executive not to seek a second term," Kennedy said.

While Kennedy’s term as comptroller ends in 2026, that does not affect his ability to receive contributions and to keep an authorized committee open, according to Kathleen McGrath, a spokesperson for the New York State Board of Elections.

Contributions can be used for "any lawful purpose so long as they are not converted to a personal use," McGrath said.

Blair Horner of the New York Public Interest Research Group, a government watchdog, cited an example of how Andrew M. Cuomo kept control of his campaign contributions for a future run for office, which he has now done for New York City mayor.

The organization, he said, believes a candidate should dispose of contributions and no longer have access to it "within a reasonable timetable" after leaving office, possibly one year.

Kennedy said if he does not seek another office, his campaign funds could be refunded or be used to support other "like-minded" candidates.

A candidate seeking to close out an authorized committee also could donate funds to charity or turn over money to the New York State general fund, according to the state Board of Elections.

By Joe Werkmeister

joe.werkmeister@newsday.com

Joe Werkmeister joined Newsday in 2022 and covers Suffolk County government and politics. He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University and previously worked as the editor of two North Fork community newspapers.

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