Politics
Dem Candidate Who Has Been Missing For Months Will Still Appear On Ballot
A Long Island lawmaker running for a country legislator seat will remain on the ballot in November despite the fact that he has been missing since April, a Nassau judge ruled.
Petros Krommidas, a 29-year-old Democratic candidate for the Nassau County Legislature’s 4th District, disappeared back in April after going for a late-night swim in Long Beach. Police found his car not far from the boardwalk, while his clothes, cellphone and other belongings were found along the beach.
Extensive searches by the U.S. Coast Guard and local police yielded no trace of him, and officials have presumed drowning as the likely cause, with no evidence of foul play. The case remains an open missing persons investigation.
Krommidas has been missing since April 23, 2025
Photo: Maria Lo via Facebook
A rising political figure in Nassau County, Krommidas was challenging Republican incumbent Legislator Patrick Mullaney in District 4, which includes coastal communities like Long Beach, Atlantic Beach, and Oceanside. His campaign largely focused on key local issues, including affordable housing, environmental protection, and community development
Despite his absence, the campaign committee has maintained limited operations, though activity has been minimal.
The legal dispute arose when Democrats sought to replace Krommidas with community advocate James Hodge on the ballot. Two Republican voters filed a lawsuit to prevent the substitution, arguing it would violate election laws.
On September 30, Supreme Court Justice Gary Knobel sided with the plaintiffs, stating that New York election statutes do not permit removal of a candidate’s name absent a formal declaration of death.
The move has irritated local Democrats, as early voting is set to begin on October 25. “The law does not allow for him to determine if someone is missing or dead,” Keith Corbett, an attorney for the Democrats, told the New York Post.
As of October 23, no further legal action has altered the ruling, meaning voters in the district will see Krommidas listed alongside Mullaney, who is seeking a second term. If Krommidas were to win posthumously — a scenario enabled under state law — the seat would likely trigger a special election.
