A Missing Candidate: The Unusual Election Dilemma in Long Beach

Mon Oct 20 2025 19:36:13 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In an unprecedented electoral twist, Petros Krommidas, a political candidate who disappeared during a spring swim in the Atlantic Ocean, remains on the ballot for the upcoming election in New York. What does this mean for voters?

Petros Krommidas, a 29-year-old political candidate from Long Beach, went missing after a swim in the Atlantic. Despite local Democrats seeking a replacement, a judge ruled that Krommidas's name must remain on the ballot, prompting debates over ethics and voter choices as Election Day approaches.

LONG BEACH, N.Y. — A political candidate in the New York City suburbs went for a night swim in the Atlantic Ocean this past spring and never returned.

Petros Krommidas’ phone, keys, and clothes were discovered on the sands at Long Beach. The 29-year-old former Ivy League rower, training for a triathlon, left his car close to the wooden boardwalk.

As time passed, the local Democratic party sought to find a replacement candidate for the Nassau County Legislature seat. However, two Republican voters challenged this in court and achieved success: a state judge recently ruled that Krommidas’s name must remain on the ballot for November, as he is still classified as missing and not deceased.

Now as Election Day nears, voters in Long Beach face a unique decision: reelect the Republican incumbent or cast their votes for a Democratic candidate who has seemingly vanished at sea.

“Let’s honor his name and memory,” urged James Hodge, a local Democrat who worked with Krommidas. Democrats hope for a special election should Krommidas fail to secure a win.

The judge, referencing prior instances in Alaska where missing candidates still won elections, confirmed that Krommidas's 'missing person' status does not permit a replacement candidate.

The Krommidas family has urged residents to vote in honor of Petros, emphasizing his dedication to community.

Meanwhile, local opinions vary, with some voters taken aback at the notion of leaving Krommidas's name on the ballot, while others express the need to vote for a candidate currently alive. As residents prepare to cast their ballots, this story highlights both the complexities of politics and deep community ties.