Pirate’s Booty founder declares himself winner of Long Island village’s mayoral election — 30 minutes after polls open
Controversy Erupts in Sea Cliff Mayoral Election
Robert Ehrlich, the founder of the beloved Pirate’s Booty snack, has caused quite a stir in the mayoral election of Sea Cliff, a quaint Long Island village. The 66-year-old political novice made a bold declaration of victory just 30 minutes after the polls opened on Tuesday.
Last week, Ehrlich made headlines when he barged into Sea Cliff’s village hall to proclaim himself as the leader of the small community, despite not being on the official ballot. He entered the race as a write-in candidate and quickly garnered attention for his unconventional campaign tactics.
Despite facing backlash from the incumbent Mayor Elena Villafane, Ehrlich remained adamant about his victory. He claimed to have collected nearly 800 “votes” on homemade paper ballots, leading to police visits to his coffee shop over concerns of voter interference.
While Villafane criticized Ehrlich for his lack of prior involvement in local politics, Ehrlich defended his actions by stating that he no longer abides by traditional methods, accusing the village of not playing fair.
The confrontation between the two candidates has sparked interest among Sea Cliff residents, with many turning out to vote in response to the election drama. Ehrlich’s bold tactics have energized the community and brought attention to the typically quiet mayoral race.
Amidst the chaos, Ehrlich has also laid claim to creating a new village entity, the “Incorporated Village of Sea Cliff Residents,” under the Citizen Empowerment Act. He plans to merge this new entity with Sea Cliff, assuming leadership of the combined community.
The Village of Sea Cliff has dismissed Ehrlich’s claims as baseless, setting the stage for a potential legal battle. Ehrlich has called on Governor Kathy Hochul to intervene and resolve the dispute, as he braces for a contentious fight to uphold his self-proclaimed mayoral status.
