A Nassau County judge has ruled that a Democratic candidate who vanished during a nighttime swim six months ago must remain on the November ballot, despite his presumed death and his party’s efforts to replace him with an active campaigner.
Petros Krommidas, 29, disappeared in April after entering the waters off Long Beach for a late-night swim.
The aspiring Nassau County legislator has not been seen since.
Local authorities discovered his vehicle parked near the Long Beach boardwalk.
His personal belongings, including his clothes, cellphone and other items, were located scattered along the beach.
The U.S. Coast Guard and local police departments conducted extensive search operations following his disappearance.
Despite their efforts, no trace of Krommidas has been found.
Investigators have concluded that drowning is the most probable explanation for his disappearance.
Officials have found no evidence suggesting foul play in the case.
The matter remains classified as an open missing persons investigation by local authorities.
No body has been recovered from the Atlantic waters where Krommidas was last known to be.
Krommidas had been mounting a challenge against Republican incumbent Patrick Mullaney for the Nassau County Legislature’s 4th District seat.
The district encompasses several coastal communities, including Long Beach, Atlantic Beach and Oceanside.
His campaign platform centered on several priorities important to local residents.
These included affordable housing initiatives, environmental protection measures and community development projects.
Following his disappearance, Krommidas’s campaign committee has continued to exist in a limited capacity. However, campaign activities have been minimal since April.
Democratic Party officials attempted to substitute Krommidas with James Hodge, described as a community advocate, on the November ballot.
This move sparked immediate legal challenges from Republican voters.
Two registered Republican voters filed a lawsuit to block the candidate substitution.
On Sept. 30, Supreme Court Justice Gary Knobel issued his ruling in favor of the Republican plaintiffs.
The judge determined that New York election statutes contain no provisions allowing for the removal of a candidate’s name without an official death certificate.
The decision has reportedly created frustration among Nassau County Democrats, particularly given the timing. Early voting in the district is scheduled to commence on Oct. 25.
Keith Corbett, serving as legal counsel for the Democratic Party, expressed concern about the ruling to the New York Post.
“The law does not allow for him to determine if someone is missing or dead,” Corbett stated.
