News

Bridget Fleming for Suffolk Legislative District 2
October 25, 2021
Newsday
Bridget Fleming

Bridget M. Fleming, 61, of Noyac, understands the risk that climate change presents to her ocean-adjacent district that stretches from Montauk to East Moriches, along with Shelter Island. That means pushing for ways to reduce Suffolk’s reliance on fossil fuels, including by expanding solar energy, and to mitigate the impact of extreme weather now by building up wetlands to help stem disastrous flooding from rising seas.

Her focus on new forms of transportation is warranted, including experimenting in micro-transit to make bus service more on-demand and tailored to riders’ needs, offering a way to get county residents out of cars and onto mass transit.

Fleming, who has served in town and county government and is a former prosecutor, has the experience to push these issues forward. She is also working on a run for Congress in 2022.

Her opponent, Robert J. Carpenter III, of East Quogue, is not actively campaigning, according to the Suffolk GOP.

Newsday endorses Fleming.read more

Dawn Marie Sharrock for Suffolk Legislative District 4
October 25, 2021
Newsday
Dawn Sharrock

Republican Nichols J. Caracappa made news two years ago for the wrong reasons.

Caracappa, 54, was arrested at his Selden home in December 2019, and faces criminal charges related to an alleged domestic violence incident. He says he expects to be exonerated.

Selden Democrat Dawn Marie Sharrock, 46, a Middle Country school board member, is a dynamic presence with fresh ideas such as developing more union worker apprenticeship programs and expanding mental health access for adults post-pandemic. She has faced contentious school board meetings and strongly supports a vaccine mandate for Suffolk police officers.
Republican Nichols J. Caracappa made news two years ago for the wrong reasons.
Caracappa lauded Suffolk's police reform efforts, saying there are bad cops who "must be held accountable." He advocated for affordable apartments for seniors, to open single-family homes to young couples. But he offered little new.

Sharrock will bring new perspectives to a body that long embraced bold ideas.

Newsday endorses Sharrock.read more

Kara Hahn for Suffolk Legislative District 5
October 25, 2021
Newsday
Kara Hahn

Karina Hahn works and pushes nonstop on many fronts at once.

The Setauket Democrat, 50, chairs two important committees — economic development and planning, and environment, parks and agriculture. Recently, she advanced smart legislation to assure opioid company settlement funds will start and expand addiction programs, rather than reimburse the county for past expenses. Her proposals for capital improvements are realistic, taking into account how long those take to accomplish, as with wastewater treatment.

Hahn will look to convert vacated big-box stores and strip malls into much-sought housing, while touting the North Shore Rail Trail, which runs from Mount Sinai to Wading River. That could promote both recreation and transportation safety. Next year, during her all-but-assured sixth and final term, she plans on running for Congress.

Salvatore SB Isabella, the Republican nominee from Port Jefferson Station, is not actively campaigning.

Newsday endorses Hahn.read more

Sarah Anker for Suffolk Legislative District 6
October 25, 2021
Newsday
Sarah Anker

If Sarah S. Anker wins her sixth full term, it will be her last, a tenure during which the 57-year-old Mount Sinai Democrat has become more knowledgeable and effective over time.

One of her biggest efforts, the North Shore Rail Trail, will soon be completed. Her efforts to combat drug addiction, starting with her role on the Suffolk County Addiction and Prevention and Support Advisory Panel, are tireless. Her district knowledge positions her well to help residents.

Republican Brendan R. Sweeney, 28, of Shoreham, a law student and assistant to Brookhaven Town Supervisor Edward Romaine, clearly has a passion for public service. His desire to close the loophole that lets term-limited legislators run again after a break makes sense. His complaints about county patronage positions are justified. He should stay on a path of public service.

But Anker is a seasoned, effective legislator, at the height of her powers.

Newsday endorses Anker.read more

Samuel Gonzalez for Suffolk Legislative District 9
October 25, 2021
Newsday
Sam Gonzalez

Democratic incumbent Samuel J. Gonzalez relentlessly listens to and advocates for his community. This past term, he was the lone "no" vote in the legislature on the county's police reform plan, fueled by concerns from his constituents that it lacked an independent investigator to hold the department accountable.

This district was hard hit by COVID-19. Gonzalez, 60, of Brentwood, used his ties as a former labor union official to borrow trucks with screens and microphones to provide vaccination information in English and Spanish. That, plus other messaging and organizing pop-up vaccination sites, helped improve vaccine rates. His out-of-the-box thinking includes union certification programs for high-schoolers, non-train-station-oriented downtown development around 5th Avenue, and innovative multifamily housing solutions. He should see these through in his next term.

Republican Maxima Castro of Brentwood is not actively campaigning.

Newsday endorses Gonzalez.read more

Rebecca Sanin for Huntington Supervisor
October 20, 2021
Newsday
Rebecca Sanin

Chad Lupinacci, elected Huntington Town supervisor in 2017, didn't make it to this Election Day ballot. Lupinacci is finishing his term, politically derailed by personal controversy, after a longtime aide accused him of sexual misconduct.
Entering the electoral fray for the first time is Sanin, 43, of Huntington Station. She makes a persuasive case for upgrades in the town, saying justly that residents should not find it necessary to pay "expediters" to get building permits. Sanin recognizes the woeful lack of data and metrics that would help town officials better govern and, channeling voter dissatisfaction, emphasizes the need for a 311 nonemergency system and information technology that track services and complaints and accept filings and applications online.read more