Thursday, October 1, 2026
Hempstead Town Supervisor Donald X. Clavin Jr. resigned during Tuesday's town board meeting, and Nassau County Legislator John Ferretti was appointed as the interim supervisor.
After a brief recess, Clavin returned to announce that he was stepping down after holding office since 2020.
“I want to say what an honor and a privilege and a friendship all of you have been. And to the residents, you have always been very kind to me,” said Clavin, "I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve all of you. Even the critics have been the nicest people in the world to me. And I wish all of you the greatest success, and God bless you and God bless America.”
Clavin, who was in his third two-year term, did not state his reasoning for his resignation. In April, he declined the Republican Party's nomination for a fourth term and is thought to be considering a run for a judgeship. Ferretti was picked to replace him.
After his final words, he exited the meeting with a standing ovation from attendees and former fellow board members. The meeting continued after he left.
In a statement from Nassau County Republican Committee Chairman Joseph G. Cairo Jr., appointing elected officials has been done by officials in the North Hempstead, Hempstead and Babylon towns, the City of Long Beach and other municipalities.
“The Board's action ensures continuity of representation for residents of America's largest township,” Cairo said. “What's more, both Democrat and Republican majorities in control of local governments have employed this practice. I am confident that Supervisor Ferretti will provide excellent leadership for the town, bringing a solid record of reducing taxes and providing high quality services."
In June, the Democrats lead by Democratic Supervisor candidate Joseph Scianablo unveiled proposed legislation to ban the practice of appointing town supervisors without a public election.
“This appointment is an insult to every voter in the Town of Hempstead,” Scianablo said in a statement. “Ferretti will now enjoy the perks of office, cars, gas, glossy mailers, and free publicity, all paid for by taxpayers, to run a campaign that was rigged from the start, not to mention a $60,000 raise.”
Nassau County Legislator Seth Koslow, the Democratic candidate for county executive, aimed his anger at his Republican opponent, incumbent County Executive Bruce Blakeman.
"Don Clavin just stepped down as Hempstead supervisor — exactly as we predicted last week — so that Blakeman's chosen crony could gain an advantage in the upcoming election," Koslow said in a statement. "This is a shameful attempt to circumvent the will of the voters and dismantle the democratic process."
Ferretti represented Levittown, Bethpage, North Massapequa and parts of Farmingdale. The Republican candidate for the 15th Legislative District is Kayla L. Knight and the Democratic candidate is Stephen Richard Hellman.
