Stephen F. Kiely

BACKGROUND

• Kiely, 49, of Mattituck, is running on the Republican and Conservative party lines in the general election. He is vying to replace Fred Thiele Jr., who is not seeking reelection.
• Kiely has worked in municipal law for 20 years and is the town attorney for Shelter Island.  
• He is a graduate of Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina, and earned a law degree from Hofstra University. He was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2005.

ISSUES

• Maintaining home rule is a priority for Kiely, who said he wants to limit development on the rural East End. He supports accessory apartments and repurposing vacant commercial buildings for housing, but said high-density developments could negatively impact the environment and community character.
• He said he would advocate for further rollbacks of bail reform laws, including implementing a “dangerousness of defendant” standard that would allow judges to set bail in more cases.
• Kiely said he supports repealing New York’s sanctuary state status.