Islip Town Councilwoman To Run For Suffolk County Legislature

ISLIP, NY — Town of Islip councilwoman Trish Bergin announced recently she will be running for Suffolk County Legislature.

Bergin, who is a Republican, wrote in a post on Facebook on Feb. 26 that she plans to run for the 10th legislative district, which represents East Islip, Bay Shore, Islip, Great River, Oakdale, Bohemia, Ronkonkoma, Central Islip, Islandia, and Hauppauge.

The seat is currently held by Tom Cilmi, also a Republican, who has held the position since 2009. He will not be running again due to term limits.

"I'm sure this will come as a surprise to some of you, but this is my final year in office," Cilmi wrote on Facebook on Feb. 24. "County Legislators may serve six consecutive two-year terms and, believe it or not, this is my twelfth year. I will save any good-bye sentiments, thank-yous and reflection until later in the year, but soon you will hear about candidates running for the 10th District seat this year, and I didn't want anyone to be confused."

While Cilmi didn't specifically name Bergin, he wrote that he will support "whoever the GOP selects."

Bergin was first elected as councilwoman in 2010. Before that the East Islip resident worked as a journalist at News12 Long Island, CBS, Inside Edition, and Fox News Channel's Strategy Room.

"It’s an honor to have both the Republican and Conservative Parties endorsement as I look to help bring fiscal responsibility and good government back to Suffolk County," Bergin wrote on Facebook. "Stay tuned for ways you can get involved in my upcoming campaign. I am looking forward to earning your support and vote on Tuesday November 2nd."