Politicians on Long Island are determined to “get to the bottom” of a situation involving a boyfriend of a local manager’s daughter, who reportedly made intimidating late-night visits to rival lawmakers during the Republican primary.
Initially, Ed Welheim’s campaign, the Smithtown manager, dismissed allegations that his daughter’s boyfriend, Joshua Smith, 47, was responsible for these unsettling encounters at the home of Suffolk County Councilman Rob Trotta.
However, after Smith’s arrest for stalking on Monday evening, the campaign shifted its message just hours before the polls opened.
“Now we are focusing on today’s election,” a spokesperson for the campaign stated on Tuesday morning. “After that, my supervisor and I will get to the bottom of this whole situation. Everyone wants the truth.”
Trotta, however, expressed strong feelings regarding Welheim’s response to the situation, indicating that it felt dismissive.
“It shakes my heart [Welheim]. You can sit there and call this an allegation and try to ignore it while police catch him at his home,” Trotta shared with a newspaper.
Some neighbors of Smith voiced their surprise, saying the accusations don’t align with their experiences of him.
“He’s just a nice guy. I don’t know if he really believes he did it. It’s politics,” one anonymous neighbor shared.
The campaign for Wehrheim has sought to deflect the allegations against him.
“Anyone who knows Ed Wehrheim knows he treats everyone with dignity and respect, and he lives to serve this community,” the spokesperson remarked. “He has never tolerated behavior that undermines basic decency.”
The supervisor maintains that anyone who breaks the law should face investigation and consequences.
Smith has reportedly made several visits to Trotta’s residence since June 16. He has been accused of revving his car loudly and shining his high beams into the home, and, at least once, vandalizing Trotta’s campaign sign, according to reports from both law enforcement and Trotta.
Trotta noted that the troubling incidents began shortly after the tragic murder of two state legislators in Minnesota.
“I was more worried about my wife and family’s safety than anything else,” Trotta said. “A neighbor came to me after the second night and mentioned they were concerned for my safety.”
Smith’s arrest occurred just a day before the primary vote that will decide the Republican candidates for the Smithtown supervisor position.
Trotta is contesting the seat that Welheim has held for over seven years.
