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Like In Iowa, Booker Gains Traction In The Hamptons

AP Photo/John Locher
Democratic presidential candidate and New Jersey Senator Cory Booker votes in the Iowa kernel poll at the Iowa State Fair, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019, in Des Moines, Iowa.

It turns out Iowa’s flare for Democratic presidential hopeful and New Jersey Senator Cory Booker resonates with some voters in eastern Long Island. 

Booker’s supporters in Iowa and on the East End of Long Island seem to have something in common. They are attracted by his personality.

State Representative Jennifer Konfist from Des Moines, Iowa is an early Booker supporter.

“One of the things he did that I really liked is that he worked to help state legislative races in 2018. He helped us raise money, and that was all work, he did before he ran for president.”

Konfist claims Booker has the second largest campaign organization in Iowa ahead of the presidential caucus in February.

Hamptons real estate broker Michael Daly also admires Bookers’ interest in local politics.

“I met Cory about a year ago at a fundraiser in Bridgehampton and we connected. And he called me afterwards and thanked me for coming and being part of it. And I told him I like you. You’re a good man. And I’ll support you.”

Daly will co-host a fundraiser for Booker at a home in Sag Harbor on Sunday. Booker also has events in East Hampton and Water Mill on the same day.

California Senator Kamala Harris will also be raising money in Water Mill this weekend. South Bend, Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg and Montana Governor Steve Bullock have events in the Hamptons later this month.Meanwhile, President Donald Trump’s appearances last weekend at two big-money fundraising events in the Hamptons raised $12 million for his reelection campaign.

Traffic was at a standstill as roads closures made way for Trump. Rallies in support and opposition to the president erupted throughout the community.

The opposition was widespread as celebrities and LGBTQ advocates boycotted the high-end sports club Equinox, because its owner, billionaire Stephen Ross, hosted a fundraiser.

Trump says he has a lot of silent supporters in the Hamptons. Trump won almost 52 percent of Suffolk County voters in 2016 — many in eastern Long Island.

As WSHU Public Radio’s award-winning senior political reporter, Ebong Udoma draws on his extensive tenure to delve deep into state politics during a major election year.
Desiree reports on the lives of military service members, veterans, and their families for WSHU as part of the American Homefront project. Born and raised in Connecticut, she now calls Long Island home.
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