Congressman Steve Israel To Talk “Big Guns” And More At Hamptons League Of Women Voters Event

The Hamptons League of Women Voters will welcome former Long Island Congressman Steve Israel, who will take part in a special book and author event on Thursday, April 4.

“We are thrilled that Congressman Israel, a much-in-demand speaker, was so enthusiastic about attending because of the book’s Hamptons setting and its climax at a League of Women Voters candidates’ debate!” shared Hamptons League Vice President Arlene Hinkemeyer, who reached out to Congressman Israel after reading his second novel, Big Guns, and meeting him at the East Hampton Library’s Author’s Night last August.

Taking place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Seasons of Southampton, the evening will include a Q&A session about Big Guns, as well as insight about the political scene and other topics. Former South Fork Congressman Tim Bishop, of the 1st C.D., will serve as emcee.

Published in 2018, Big Guns is a political satire about the powerful firearm industry. It takes place in Washington D.C. and Asabogue, a fictitious village situated between Southampton and East Hampton. The novel even includes a pivotal scene that is set at a League of Women Voters candidates’ debate.

“I’m also sure that those who attend will have great questions to ask former Congressmen Israel and Bishop,” Hinkemeyer added.

Israel, who resides in Oyster Bay, and has a second home on the North Fork, was the U.S. Representative from the 2nd and then the redistricted 3rd Congressional District on Long Island’s Nassau County and Suffolk County for eight terms, from 2001-17. He jokingly notes that he left “undefeated and unindicted.” Prior to serving as a Representative, he was elected to the Huntington Town Board in 1993.

While serving as a Representative, Israel held many House leadership positions, and was tapped for the growth of competitive House Democratic campaigns throughout the country. Currently, Israel is the chairman of the non-partisan Global Institute at Long Island University, where his official Congressional records will be housed. As a Tisch College Visiting Fellow at Tufts University this past fall semester, Israel taught the course “Topics in American Politics: Inside Congress and the 2018 Midterm Elections.” He was also an Institute of Politics Pritzker Fellow at the University of Chicago, where he led a seminar along with former Congressman Tom Davis, 1999-2003 chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee. This spring, Israel is presenting a three-part lecture series at LIU C.W. Post College in Brookville that will focus on “Inside Congress,” “Global Challenges,” and “Common Ground: How Republicans and Democrats Can Get Along in Washington D.C.” The series will be held in March, April and May.

Congressman Israel also regularly appears as a political commentator for the news and print, television and digital media such as The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Foreign Affairs, and many others.

In addition to Big Guns, Congressman Israel penned The Global War on Morris (2015), another political satire.

Admission to the Book & Author Reception is $65 prior to March 28, and $70 after that. The evening will include hearty hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

Seasons of Southampton is located at 15 Prospect Street in Southampton. For more information, call 631-324-4637 to RSVP or visit www.lwvhamptons.org.