Election Dilemma: Missing Candidate Remains on Ballot in New York Suburb

Mon Oct 13 2025 20:51:26 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In an unusual twist of fate, voters in Long Beach, NY, must choose whether to vote for a missing candidate whose fate remains uncertain. Petros Krommidas, who vanished while swimming, will still appear on the upcoming ballot despite legal challenges.

Petros Krommidas, a former Ivy League athlete, disappeared during a spring swim in Long Beach, NY, leading to a legal battle over his place on the ballot for the Nassau County Legislature. A judge ruled he could remain a candidate despite being missing, igniting a debate among voters about honoring his memory or choosing the living incumbent. As Election Day approaches, opinions among residents are divided, highlighting the complexities of political and personal loss.

LONG BEACH, N.Y. (AP) — A political candidate in the outskirts of New York City embarked on a night swim into the Atlantic Ocean this spring and has yet to be found.

Petros Krommidas, 29, who previously excelled as an Ivy League rower and was training for a triathlon, left behind his phone, keys, and clothes on the beach before he went missing. His vehicle was parked near the scenic boardwalk of Long Beach, Long Island.

In the aftermath of his disappearance, local Democrats sought to nominate a replacement for Krommidas' open seat in the Nassau County Legislature.

However, two Republican voters initiated legal proceedings to ensure Krommidas' name would remain on the ballot. A state judge ruled recently that Krommidas is still legally classified as missing and has not been declared dead.

As Election Day approaches, voters in Long Beach face a unique choice: to reelect the Republican incumbent or to cast their ballot for Krommidas, the Democrat who has seemingly vanished at sea.

Democrats Rally Behind Their Missing Candidate

James Hodge, among those rallying for Krommidas, urges citizens to vote for him in hopes that a special election might allow Democrats to put forth an alternative candidate against incumbent County Legislator Patrick Mullaney.

Hodge, who previously worked alongside Krommidas at the Nassau County Board of Elections, asserts, “We need to stand by and honor his name and memory,” emphasizing the need for “that victory.”

Republican plaintiffs in the lawsuit argued that because authorities still list Krommidas as missing, he cannot be considered deceased, and there is a legal requirement for individuals to remain missing for three years before being officially declared dead. Judge Gary Knobel agreed with this reasoning in his ruling.

The Precedent of Posthumous Elections

The ruling referenced historical precedents, including the case of U.S. Rep. Nicholas Begich Sr., who won reelection after disappearing in a plane crash just weeks before the election in 1972. More contemporary examples include Dennis Hof, who won a seat in Nevada's legislature weeks after his death, and Pennsylvania's Anthony DeLuca, who was reelected following his passing from lymphoma.

Democrats claim the Republican lawsuit aimed to secure an easy victory while prolonging the Krommidas family's suffering. “There’s a time to stop and be a human being,” expressed local Democratic member Ellen Lederer-DeFrancesco.

The Nassau County Republican Committee Chairman stated that the party intends to address this complex situation with sensitivity.

Community Reactions Along the Beach

Initially, Krommidas’ family and friends aided first responders in searching the vast sandy stretches of Long Beach after his disappearance. Tattered missing persons flyers featuring his beaming face remain visible, contrasting with the striking campaign signs of his opponent.

Resident Maude Carione remarked on the peculiar ballot choice facing November voters: “It’s insane to leave his name on the ballot. You’ll confuse people.” In contrast, voter Regina Pecorella maintained, “If it’s between those two, I’m voting for the person that’s alive.”

Ultimately, as the narratives evolve, the election in Long Beach is a poignant reflection of the intersection between personal loss, an absent candidate, and the persistent machinery of politics.