Long Island Candidate to Stay on Ballot Despite Disappearance

A Nassau judge ruled on Monday that a Long Island Democrat, who has been missing for nearly five months, will still appear on the ballot in the upcoming November election.

Petros Clomidas, a 29-year-old county council candidate, vanished in April following a late-night swim in Long Beach. Police later found his car abandoned near the boardwalk, with his clothes and cell phone left on the sand.

Despite attempts by the Democrats to replace Clomidas with community advocate James Hodge, the Republicans challenged this, arguing that Clomidas was “legally dead.” This claim, according to the GOP, prompted the judge’s ruling.

Now, Democrats are considering appeals as early voting is set to start later this month.

“It’s really something when Republican democracy seems to be suing a missing person,” commented Democrat attorney Keith Corbett.

Corbett criticized the Republican approach, stating that they “once again” prioritized party interests over the rights of citizens to choose their representatives.

He acknowledged the merits of Judge Conobelle, but emphasized that the law doesn’t allow for a determination of someone’s status as alive or dead in this situation.

The attorney for the GOP, Stephen Martir, declined to make any comments on the decision.

The court maintained that Clomidas’ name would remain on the ballot since he had not been officially declared dead. The election is scheduled for November 4th, with Clomidas running in the MP4 District alongside MP Patrick Mulany.

The districts involved include Atlantic Beach, East Tolantic Beach, Long Beach, Lido Beach, Point Lookout, Harbor Isle, Island Park, Barnum Island, Oceanside, and Bay Park.