Republican Anthony Piccirillo elected Suffolk County presiding officer

Anthony Piccirillo of Holbrook was elected presiding officer of the Suffolk County Legislature at the body's organizational meeting on Jan. 6, 2026, securing 13 votes while five Democratic legislators abstained. The outcome installs Republican leadership in a chamber where the GOP holds an 11-7 majority, and it establishes the policy priorities that will guide committee work and budget decisions this year.

Piccirillo, first elected to the legislature in 2019, has chaired and served on multiple committees, including environment and government operations. In taking the presiding officer role he pledged to prioritize directing resources to every district while focusing on public safety, environmental protection and affordability. Jim Mazzarella was elected deputy presiding officer alongside Piccirillo, providing additional continuity for the majority caucus.

The vote tally and the five abstentions from Democrats are a telling portrait of the chamber’s dynamics. With 11 Republican seats, the 13 affirmative votes indicate at least two Democrats supported Piccirillo’s election, while a majority of the Democratic caucus opted to abstain rather than oppose. That mix signals both a strengthened Republican control and a degree of pragmatic alignment among some members that could shape how contested measures proceed.

For residents, the change in leadership matters because the presiding officer sets committee assignments, steers the legislative agenda and influences which projects get priority in the county budget. Committees that Piccirillo has been involved with, notably environment and government operations, will bear close watching for proposed ordinances, regulatory changes and spending proposals tied to shoreline management, water quality, emergency services and affordability programs.

Minority leadership called for collaboration after the vote, urging cross-party working relationships even as control shifts. The majority’s numerical advantage makes it possible to advance initiatives without unified minority support, but the presence of abstentions and some cross-over votes suggests that certain proposals may still require outreach to build durable coalitions.

Civic engagement will be central to how these priorities translate into policy. Residents concerned about public safety funding, environmental protections for bays and groundwater, or local affordability measures should monitor committee agendas, attend public hearings and contact their legislators to shape outcomes before the budget cycle hardens.

The takeaway? Stay engaged and hold new leadership to its promises. Show up at committee meetings, sign up for updates from your legislator, and weigh in early — that’s how county policy stays responsive to Suffolk neighborhoods.