Missing Candidate's Name Remains on Ballot in Long Beach Election

Mon Oct 20 2025 18:20:01 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

As Election Day nears, voters in Long Beach, NY, face the unusual dilemma of voting for a candidate who went missing during a night swim, sparking both legal battles and calls for honor among community members.

Petros Krommidas, a political candidate who vanished while swimming in the Atlantic Ocean, will remain on the ballot for the upcoming Nassau County Legislature election. A state judge ruled that Krommidas, still classified as a missing person, cannot be replaced by the Democrats seeking to run another candidate. Community members and family urge voters to honor his memory by casting their ballots for him, while others question the appropriateness of his name remaining on the ballot.

LONG BEACH, N.Y. (AP) — Political candidate Petros Krommidas, who went for a night swim in the Atlantic Ocean this past spring and never returned, will remain on the ballot despite his disappearance.

The 29-year-old former Ivy League rower and triathlon trainee left behind his belongings on the beach, triggering a series of legal and emotional challenges for local Democrats hoping to replace him.

Recently, a judge ruled in favor of keeping Krommidas' name on the ballot, stating he is still regarded as missing and legally cannot be declared dead until after three years of being missing.

With Election Day approaching, voters in Long Beach face a unique decision: reelect the incumbent Republican legislator or cast their vote for a candidate who has seemingly vanished at sea.

Democrats push for votes in Krommidas' honor

James Hodge, a colleague and friend, implores voters to honor Krommidas' legacy and call for a special election to nominate a Democrat candidate after the election.

We need to stand by and honor his name and memory, Hodge commented. The vote represents not only a choice between candidates but a tribute to a young person who dedicated himself to public service and community.

Hodge and others, like Ellen Lederer-DeFrancesco, criticize the Republican voters' actions, arguing they're prolonging the family's anguish and taking advantage of the situation for political gain.

Historical context of deceased candidates

The ruling also referenced past instances where deceased candidates still managed to win elections. In a similar case, Nicholas Begich Sr. won reelection after disappearing in a plane crash weeks before the vote in 1972. Recent examples include Dennis Hof and Anthony DeLuca, both of whom won elections posthumously.

Community reactions

In the weeks after Krommidas' disappearance, posters and flyers with his image were spread throughout Long Beach, many still seen on telephone poles as a reminder of his vibrant life.

Opinions among residents vary regarding the decision to keep Krommidas on the ballot. While some view it as sentimental, others express confusion about the implications for a fair election.

One local remarked, It’s insane to leave his name on the ballot. You’ll confuse people. In contrast, another noted, If it’s between those two, I’m voting for the person that’s alive. The upcoming election serves not just as a political contest but as a poignant reflection on community, loss, and remembrance.

As Krommidas' family continues to cope with the pain of his disappearance, they share messages encouraging the community to honor his spirit through their vote.