Southampton - The campaign season is heating up with the surprising announcement this week that Southampton Town Republican Party Leader Marcus Stinchi will not seek another term as head of the GOP committee. Stinchi will be stepping down at the end of the month when his term ends after leading the party for six years.

Stinchi is a professional landscaper and owner of Stinchi Landscaping of Westhampton Beach. Ernest Wruck, the GOP's vice-chairman, is expected to replace Stinch in October.

The announcement was made by GOP Committee secretary Ann LaWall, who also serves as Executive Director of the Southampton Business Alliance. Charles "Chuck" Seaman, the GOP committee treasurer is also stepping down at the end of the month.

Stinchi noted his decision to end his tenure as party leader had nothing to do with the controversial events surrounding the nomination of incumbent GOP Town Supervisor Linda Kabot. "The Republicans are united. The Republicans are the best choice in November," Stinchi said. He plans to remain active in the GOP as a zone leader, committeeman and fundraiser. Stinchi expressed support for Wruck's possible bid as Chairman. "I support that," he said.

Stinchi, 38, a professional landscaper from Westhampton Beach has been active in town politics since he was 17 years old. While no longer leading the GOP Stinchi plans to remain active as committeeman and zone chairman. He also plans to help out at a fundraiser.

Southampton Town Supervisor Linda Kabot suggested committee members begin to search for a new leader after Stinchi encouraged delegates to deny Kabot a second bid for re-election by refusing to give her the nomination at the GOP convention earlier this year. The nod went to Southampton Town Conservative Party Leader and Westhampton Beach native James "Jim" Malone instead, then went back to Kabot in a surprising turn of events after Kabot vowed to wage a primary fight in September.

Kabot secured the GOP nomination a few days after she filed her petitions in August. Malone is now seeking a seat on the Town Board in the November election after stepping aside for Kabot who initially suggested he run for a seat on the town board rather than try to unseat her.

Despite being arrested for allegedly driving while intoxicated (DWI) shortly after midnight on Labor Day, Kabot vowed to continue her campaign as she offered up a collective "no comment" to the press and asked for privacy as she faced her upcoming court date, now scheduled for Sept. 30. Kabot pleaded not guilty to the charges at a court appearance in Westhampton Beach Village Justice Court on Monday, Sept. 7 when she was arraigned. She walked to her car where her husband Lance was waiting after her 8 a.m. appearance. Supervisor Kabot has three school-aged children and lives in Quogue.

She is seeking election to a second two-year term as Supervisor hoping to defeat Councilwoman Anna Throne-Holst, the Democratic party challenger.

"I am confident and comfortable that the GOP candidates are strong," Stinchi said referring to incumbent Councilman Chris Nuzzi and newcomer James Malone. When asked to comment on Kabot's candidacy Stinchi begged off. "There's too much stuff going on," he said.