Riverhead Election 2019: Challenger Wins Supervisor's Seat

RIVERHEAD, NY — The voters have spoken in Riverhead and the GOP took back the reins, with a new supervisor in town.

Incumbent Dem Laura Jens-Smith was in a race to retain the Town Supervisor's seat with challenger Yvette Aguiar. Aguiar took the lead with the unofficial tally indicating that she has 4437 votes to Jen-Smith's 3741.

In other races, incumbent Town Clerk and Democrat Diane Wilhelm ran unopposed; Republican Laurie Zaneski, also ran unopposed for Receiver of Taxes, as did incumbent Town Justice Lori Hulse, (R).

Five candidates vied for two open town board seats. Republicans Timothy Hubbard and Frank Beyrodt, Jr. took the lead; Hubbard garnered 4,691 votes and Beyrodt, 4352. Democrat Pat Snyder got 2973 votes and Diane Callan-Tucci 3451. William C. Van Helmond, Libertarian, got 268.

Four candidates ran for two open seats town assessor seats, including Democrats Tara Taylor and Jaraby Thomas and Republicans Mason Haas and Meredith Lipinsky. Lipinski got 4741 votes, Haas, 4723, Taylor, 3133, and Thomas, 2664.

Aguiar is a Republican who also ran on the Conservative line. She and her husband Paul have one son, John. She has a PhD in business administration, a master's degree in public administration, and a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice. Currently, she is an associate professor in management at the American Military University, where she has been for seven years. Prior experience includes working in law enforcement with the New York City Police Department and serving as chair at Briarcliffe College.

To read Patch's interview with Aguiar, click here.