Maryland's Rep. Jamie Raskin will host in-person town hall in Patchogue

A Maryland congressman is coming to Suffolk County to address more than 1,000 residents Saturday afternoon at a town hall in Patchogue organized by a coalition of Democratic committees and progressive activist groups.

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) plans to discuss the effects of federal policies under the Trump administration, ranging from economic issues to concerns over the future of Social Security and Medicaid, organizers told Newsday. They said they planned the event partly as a rebuke to the two congressmen who represent Suffolk County — Reps. Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) and Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) — for hosting virtual events instead of in person.

Raskin's town hall in Patchogue follows a series of events he's held across the country as Republicans have retreated from hosting in-person forums following several heated gatherings. 

Kathryn Casey Quigley, chair of the Southold Town Democratic Committee, said in an interview the town hall at the Patchogue Theater is a chance to bring people together and "give them a vision of our country that is more hopeful and less dark and hateful."

In an emailed statement to Newsday, Raskin said he’s been appearing at dozens of rallies and town halls across the nation to oppose "MAGA’s destructive authoritarian agenda."

"Everywhere I go, I find Democrats, Independents and even Republicans with passionate conviction to make the government work again for the rights, freedoms and essential programs of the people," he said.

Quigley said she got to know Raskin when he visited the North Fork in recent years. That connection led to Raskin’s Long Island appearance this weekend, she said.

Allison Kanas, the group leader of Indivisible Long Island, one of the organizing groups, said she hopes Raskin can help "point out the most relevant and important things for us to be focusing on" amid the deluge of daily news.

Tickets for the free, 90-minute event were gone within 24 hours, organizers said. Kanas said they’ve set up an overflow room for people to watch a livestream at a nearby music venue, 89 North.

Raskin is expected to speak for about 20 to 30 minutes and then take questions, Quigley said. Audience members can then line up at two microphones to ask questions.

Raskin, who’s serving his fourth term in Congress, spent more than 25 years as a professor of constitutional law at American University’s Washington College of Law, according to his congressional bio. He served as the lead House manager during the second impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.

Rep. Laura Gillen (D-Rockville Centre) is the only Long Island representative to host an in-person town hall this year. Her event on April 16 drew a large crowd to Hofstra University’s David S. Mack Student Center, Newsday previously reported.

Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) hosted a virtual town hall this year. The two Democratic representatives also have hosted a pair of in-person forums. A March forum centered on the budget and an April event focused on Social Security.

In a statement to Newsday, LaLota said, "Suffolk progressives continue to import out of touch self-described liberals who are completely out of touch with Suffolk County."

He described Raskin as "one of the most hyper-partisans in Congress" and added that Suffolk voters have "consistently sent home-grown, commonsense conservatives to Congress — leaders focused on affordability, national security, public safety and delivering real results for Long Island."

A spokesperson for Garbarino did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

Garbarino’s virtual event in early April drew more than 10,000 people, according to a news release from his office. He discussed the SALT cap, saying "any extension of the $10,000 cap will not fly."

He also addressed proposed cuts to social safety nets, saying, "There was no legislation voted on that would cut Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security."