Boyfriend of town supervisor's daughter arrested for stalking political rival

In the United States, a scandal emerged surrounding a Republican primary in Smithtown, Long Island. Joshua Smith, the boyfriend of Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim's daughter, Kellie Ann, was arrested for stalking Rob Trotta, Wehrheim's political opponent. The incidents began on June 16, leading up to the primary elections set for June 17. According to reports, Smith harassed Trotta over three consecutive nights, revving his engine and pulling into Trotta's driveway late at night, alarming both Trotta and his family. After a series of these disturbing visits, Trotta contacted local police, prompting them to install a license plate reader in his driveway to monitor the situation. This device identified Smith's vehicle during a subsequent incident, leading police to track him down, although it wasn't until the following Monday that he was formally charged following a thorough investigation. The events raised significant concerns for Trotta, especially following the tragic killing of two state legislators in Minnesota, making the harassment even more alarming for him and his family. Trotta expressed his worries for the safety of his loved ones amid the harassment campaign. Prior to Smith's arrest, Wehrheim's campaign had denied any wrongdoing and focused on his record as Supervisor, aiming to keep attention on campaign issues rather than allegations of misconduct. The incident highlights the tense and potentially dangerous nature of local political races, raising questions about the safety and integrity of candidates and their families.