David Calone launches new video campaign for Suffolk County Executive

Daily Point

First Calone ad proclaims him ‘different’

David Calone, the Democratic nominee for Suffolk County executive, is releasing his first video campaign ad. According to his campaign, the 30-second ad, with the title “Different,” will be promoted with a six-figure media buy for television as well as streaming and other online platforms.

The Calone campaign does not mention his opponent in the race, Republican Brookhaven Town supervisor Ed Romaine, or the incumbent he wants to succeed, Democrat Steve Bellone. Rather, it seeks to show Calone as pro-business and siding with law enforcement.

“Suffolk County has never had a county executive who was a prosecutor or a business leader,” the voice-over opens. “No wonder there’s too much crime and not enough good-paying jobs. Dave Calone is a different kind of leader. He helped prosecute an al-Qaida terrorist and put criminals behind bars.”

Then Calone himself has a short speaking role, telling the viewer: “I even called out my own party when they haven’t kept us safe.” That’s a clear reference to the statewide bail-reform issue which formed a theme in the last two general elections.

“Dave helped create dozens of small businesses and hundreds of jobs,” the commercial’s narrator continues. “As county executive, Dave Calone will crack down on government corruption, so all our families can afford to live here.”

As goes the style, the ad is interspersed with quick still images. One features a newspaper-style headline that says “Crime is up in Suffolk County” and the next proclaiming “Not enough good-paying jobs.” Coinciding with the line “put criminals behind bars,” he is featured chatting amiably with a heavyset man wearing a blue T-shirt that says “Law Enforcement” in white lettering. The bespectacled Calone delivers his one line wearing a button-down gray shirt and no tie. He’s shown being applauded in a business setting and in the final glimpse, walks astride younger people one presumes to be his family members.

As he did previously, Calone is playing up his past positions in both federal and state law enforcement and his role establishing business entities called Bridgehealth and the Long Island Emerging Technologies Fund. The strategy seems designed to highlight Calone’s outsider image in contrast with and to counter Romaine’s long career in elected office and party politics.

— Dan Janison dan.janison@newsday.com

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