O'Hara Withdraws From Town Supervisor Race

Two months after throwing his hat in the ring for the Republican nomination for Islip Town Supervisor, Tom O’Hara is now saying he is no longer a candidate.

The surprise announcement came mid-day on Saturday in an e-mail message from O’Hara.

“Due to family considerations, effective immediately I am formally withdrawing from any consideration for elective office and ceasing any related activities,” O’Hara wrote in an e-mail message that was sent to Patch. “I would like to thank our true friends who have shown their love and support throughout the years and in recent months.”

In February, Patch would seek the GOP nomination to face incumbent Town Supervisor Phil Nolan, a Democrat, this fall.

“I have been a party stalwart for many years and was on the team along with [Islip GOP Chairman] Frank Tantone that helped set a new direction for the town’s Republican party,” O’Hara told Patch two months ago. “I want to bring that same change to town hall.”

While it is unclear what factors played into O’Hara’s decision, what is clear is that the town Republican Party must now find a candidate to lead its ticket in this year’s election.

One prominent Islip Republican who has said she is not a candidate is Councilwoman Trish Bergin Weichbrodt. During a town council meeting in February, Bergin Weichbrodt stated publicly that she was not planning to run for town supervisor.

In addition to selecting a candidate for the town supervisor’s race, the GOP must also select candidates to oppose Democratic councilmen John Edwards and Gene Parrington this fall. With Democrats holding a slim 3-2 majority on the five-person council, the change of only one seat would give the GOP control.

And as the Islip GOP seeks its next candidate for supervisor, O’Hara is also eyeing his future as well.

“I look forward to moving on to another phase of my life," he said, "and playing a different role in making a positive difference."