A contested race for party leader is rare in Long Island politics. But this week, Suffolk County Democrats will hold a convention in Melville where a heated race for party chair will come to a head.

Long-time Democratic Party Chairman Rich Schaffer is facing a challenge from Southold Town Democratic Committee Chair Katherine Casey Quigley.

Quigley is taking aim at Schaffer's deal-making. She points to the ballot this year where Democrats don't have a listed candidate in the race for Suffolk County clerk, as well as the top of the ticket last year, where a deal was struck to cross-endorse both Republican District Attorney Ray Tierney and Democrat Suffolk Sheriff Errol Toulon, which left both to run unopposed.

Schaffer, however, argues those types of deals are pragmatic and are in the best interest of the party and the county.

Southold Town Democratic Committee Chair Katherine Casey Quigley discusses the upcoming Democratic Convention in Melville.

This year marks the first year that local elections will take place in an even-numbered year.

It's the result of legislation passed by Democrats in the state legislature and approved by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

They say it will allow more people to participate in the democratic process, but Republicans say it's a partisan power grab.