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Voters Guide for primaries on June 24, 2025

 Learn about the candidates who want your vote in this year's primaries. Check out our election FAQ, where you can get answers to all your questions about voter registration, early voting, polling places and more. Enter your address in the search bar below to see the candidates that will be on your ballot. Click the check-box in the upper-right corner to add the candidates you like to a ballot you can print and take with you to the polls. Early voting runs June 14 through June 22.

Long Island Voters Guide for primaries on June 24, 2025

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Nassau Democrats have proposed an ordinance that would add Juneteenth to the county's list of official holidays. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'A slap in the face to those who recognize this holiday'

Port Washington residents and officials are mounting a campaign to bring Fernando Mejia back after ICE agents took him from the parking lot of the bagel store he manages.

'Makes me sick that a guy like that could just lose everything'

LI reps have vowed to continue fighting to raise the SALT tax cap. Newsday deputy politics editor David Cruz reports.

'Fight this tooth and nail'

With the Las Vegas Sands casino project for the Nassau Coliseum dead, observers are waiting for Nassau officials to reveal Plan B for the county-owned site. Newsday politics reporter Candice Ferrette examines the issue.

With casino project dead, what's next for Nassau Coliseum?

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The state budget has new limits making it harder for taxpayers to know what they are paying for. Newsday reporter Michael Gormley has more. 

'More difficult to assess' 

Extensive Medicaid cuts proposed in President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" could significantly affect substance abuse programs on Long Island, advocates say. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports. 

'Some will close, and every one of them will be taking fewer people'

The former Nassau County executive is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence on corruption charges. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

Mangano wants conviction reviewed

Republican lawmakers in the House have struck a tentative deal on the state and local tax deduction, commonly referred to as SALT. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'I think it's a good thing'

Long Island House Republicans say they are ready to block President Donald Trump's budget bill unless there is additional relief to the SALT cap. Newsday White House Correspondent Laura Figueroa Hernandez reports.

'They're pushing for a higher deduction'

Suffolk County officials advocated in support of stronger laws for those who drive under the influence of drugs.

'Need laws that will allow us to charge all drugged driving'

A bill that would make it illegal to come within 15 feet of first responders performing their duties in Nassau has come under fire from critics who say it would violate the First Amendment. Newsday Nassau County politics reporter Bahar Ostadan has the story.

Step back, or you could be charged with a misdemeanor

In his annual State of the County address, Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine spoke of infrastructure projects and economic headwinds. Newsday politics editor David Cruz reports.

'There is uncertainty ahead'

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Voters Guide: Primaries on June 24

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Nassau County government does not recognize Juneteenth 

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa visits The Barn in Merrick to check out the over-the-top lattes.

Coffees topped with s'mores and more

The Giants on Wednesday spoke about the team's progress throughout voluntary offseason workouts. Offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor said he thought the entire team got better and that it was a, "really good spring."

Giants looking to go from a good spring into a good summer

The crossings accounted for 2,139 collisions, including 72 resulting in serious injuries or fatalities, between 2014 and 2023. Newsday transportation reporter Alfonso Castillo has more.

'He never made it to the other side'

Members of Islip Forward created an app designed to promote transparency around ICE operations in Long Island communities. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

Advocacy group launches Long Island ICE tracker app 

The U.S. Department of Education is referring its investigation into the New York State mascot ban on Native American imagery to the Department of Justice.

Department of Education referring NYS mascot ban to DOJ

Luis Gonzalo Barrionuevo-Fuertes, 18, of Moriches, who has been charged with DWI, audibly sobbed during his arraignment in East Hampton. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

High school student dies in East Hampton crash that left 6 others injured

Newsday food writer Andi Berlin visits Marvel Frozen Dairy on the Long Beach boardwalk.

Sampling soft serve at family-owned ice cream shop in Long Beach

The "No Kings" protests were part of a national day of action against President Donald Trump and his policies. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

'No Kings' protests held across LI

Under a new proposal, Amtrak would run three trains a day to Ronkonkoma, also making stops at Hicksville and Jamaica and connecting all the way down to Washington, D.C. Newsday transportation reporter Alfonso Castillo reports. 

Ronkonkoma to D.C.on one train? Yeah, that's the ticket!

<a href="https://www.newsday.com/video/newsdaytv-top-stories">Get more on these and other NewsdayTV stories</a>

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See candidate's profiles. You can find out where to vote at the <a>NYS Board of Elections website</a>.

Learn about the candidates who want your vote in this year's primaries. Check out our election FAQ, where you can get answers to all your questions about voter registration, early voting, polling places and more.  Enter your address in the search bar below to see the candidates that will be on your ballot. You can also search by the race or candidate name.

Republican

Brooke A. Lupinacci

<h3>BACKGROUND</h3> 
<ul> 
 <li>Lupinacci, 45, is a Lloyd Harbor resident. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from New York University and a Juris Doctor from Touro Law School.</li> 
 <li>She currently serves as town councilwoman, elected in 2023.</li> 
 <li>Lupinacci previously served as Huntington's director of Labor Relations, assistant town attorney, and began her career as assistant district attorney in Suffolk County.</li> 
</ul> 
<p data-atex-currentstyle="" data-atex-mc="0" data-atex-pstyle="" data-atex-tagstart="0"><span data-atex-cstyle="EM-SPACE" data-atex-currentstyle="EM-SPACE" data-atex-id="cmd" data-atex-mc="0" data-atex-name="EM" data-atex-tagstart="0" data-atex-uat="{}"> </span><span data-atex-cstyle="EM-SPACE" data-atex-currentstyle="EM-SPACE" data-atex-id="cmd" data-atex-mc="0" data-atex-name="QA" data-atex-tagstart="1" data-atex-uat="{ }"> </span></p> 
<h3>ISSUES</h3> 
<ul> 
 <li>Lupinacci said she believes residents should be the driving force in determining what gets built in their community.</li> 
 <li>She said she believes the town needs an updated comprehensive master plan and required studies on traffic, emergency services, schools and the environment&nbsp;before evaluating any development projects.</li> 
 <li>Lupinacci has questioned ethics in town government and said she&nbsp;believes there needs to be greater transparency and accountability from elected officials.</li> 
</ul>

Edmund J. Smyth (Republican)

<h3>BACKGROUND</h3> 
<ul> 
 <li> <p>Smyth, 53, was elected to the Huntington Town Board in 2017 and served as deputy supervisor before being elected supervisor in 2021.</p> </li> 
 <li>He is a U.S. Marine Corps reserve veteran. He has a law degree from New York Law School and has practiced law for the past 28 years. He is the owner of his namesake law firm on Main Street.</li> 
 <li>Smyth is also facing a&nbsp;primary&nbsp;on the Conservative Party line.<span data-atex-cstyle="EM-SPACE" data-atex-currentstyle="EM-SPACE" data-atex-id="cmd" data-atex-mc="0" data-atex-name="QA" data-atex-tagstart="1" data-atex-uat="{ }"> </span></li> 
</ul> 
<h3>ISSUES</h3> 
<ul> 
 <li>Smyth said he would continue to be fiscally responsible by focusing on staying under the tax cap, and spending tax dollars on only essentials such as trucks, infrastructure and playground equipment.</li> 
 <li>He said he will continue to make upgrades to public safety systems such as security cameras throughout train station parking garages, and continue&nbsp;coordination with Suffolk police&nbsp;on activities such as the illegal sale of vaping products and illegal apartments.</li> 
 <li>He said preserving open space will continue to be a priority and touts preserving Stanhope Stables and expanding the Huntington Village Green. He said he would continue to stop overdevelopment in downtowns by enforcing zoning codes and encouraging smart development.</li> 
</ul>

Supervisor, Town of Huntington - Republican

Edmund J. Smyth (conservative)

Conservative

Dominic R. Spada

<h3>BACKGROUND</h3> 
<ul> 
 <li>Spada, 62, of Halesite,&nbsp;works as a technical director for MSG Networks.</li> 
 <li>He is the former director of Huntington's maritime services department and served as assistant chief and chief of the Halesite Fire Department. He now serves the department as a member and EMT.</li> 
 <li>Spada served as trustee, deputy mayor and police commissioner in the Village of Huntington Bay.</li> 
</ul> 
<h3>ISSUES</h3> 
<ul> 
 <li>Spada opposes large-scale development projects that he says<strong>&nbsp;</strong>would fundamentally change the character of communities.</li> 
 <li>He said he is concerned that the town is not following the legally required State Environmental Quality Review Act when it approves development projects.</li> 
 <li>Spada believes the town should be acquiring more open space.</li> 
</ul>

Supervisor, Town of Huntington - Conservative

Working Families

Maria Delgado

<p>Information was not available on&nbsp;Delgado and attempts to reach her were unsuccessful.</p>

Cooper Macco

<h3>BACKGROUND</h3> 
<ul> 
 <li>Macco, 38, of Huntington, is also running on the Democratic Party line in the general election. He has been endorsed by the New York Working Families Party but faces a primary challenger. He is a bankruptcy attorney in his own private practice, Islandia-based Macco &amp; Corey&nbsp;PC.</li> 
 <li>He serves a vice chair of the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce, den leader for Pack 310 Cub Scouts, and committee chair for the Southdown Primary PTA of the Huntington school district. He has previously served as chair of the bankruptcy &amp; insolvency committee of the Suffolk County Bar Association, co-chair of the Young Professionals Committee of the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce, and as president of the Huntington Lawyer's Club.</li> 
 <li>He is a lifelong resident of the Town of Huntington and graduated from Cold Spring Harbor High School in 2004, Long Island University in 2008, and St. John's University School of Law in 2012.</li> 
</ul> 
<p data-atex-currentstyle="" data-atex-mc="0" data-atex-pstyle="" data-atex-tagstart="0"></p> 
<h3>ISSUES</h3> 
<ul> 
 <li>Macco said&nbsp;he is focused on bringing transparency and accountability back to the Town of Huntington by focusing on residents rather than political agendas.</li> 
 <li>If elected, he said,&nbsp;he will seek to focus on creative solutions to the rising cost of housing, promoting local small business, and preservation of natural resources like parks, beaches&nbsp;and waterways.</li> 
 <li>Macco said he is focused on bringing additional revenue sources into the budget in an effort to reduce the cost on residents.</li> 
</ul>

Supervisor, Town of Huntington - Working Families

Robert Trotta

<h3>BACKGROUND</h3> 
<ul> 
 <li> <p>Trotta, 63, of Fort Salonga, is competing in the Republican primary in the Smithtown supervisor's race.</p> </li> 
 <li> <p>He is a graduate of C.W. Post College and he received a master’s degree in labor management from Stony Brook University.</p> </li> 
 <li> <p>He is a Suffolk County legislator who is serving his sixth term representing the 13th District.</p> </li> 
</ul> 
<p data-atex-currentstyle="" data-atex-mc="0" data-atex-pstyle="" data-atex-tagstart="0"><span data-atex-cstyle="EM-SPACE" data-atex-currentstyle="EM-SPACE" data-atex-id="cmd" data-atex-mc="0" data-atex-name="EM" data-atex-tagstart="0" data-atex-uat="{}"> </span><span data-atex-cstyle="EM-SPACE" data-atex-currentstyle="EM-SPACE" data-atex-id="cmd" data-atex-mc="0" data-atex-name="QA" data-atex-tagstart="1" data-atex-uat="{ }"> </span></p> 
<h3>ISSUES</h3> 
<ul> 
 <li> <p>Trotta said he is opposed to overdevelopment in areas such as Kings Park. He&nbsp;has been critical of several projects up for approval in the area, such as a proposal for a multimillion-dollar apartment complex.</p> </li> 
 <li> <p>If elected, Trotta said,&nbsp;he will seek to put limits on development in Kings Park and the town. Trotta says he favors having a small number of apartments and condominiums&nbsp;and wants to focus on revitalizing downtown Kings Park with better signs and lighting, as well as burying power lines&nbsp;underground.</p> </li> 
 <li> <p>Trotta also said&nbsp;he supports term limits for elected officials in Smithtown.</p> </li> 
</ul>

Edward R. Wehrheim

<h3>BACKGROUND</h3> 
<ul> 
 <li>Wehrheim, 76, of Smithtown, is competing in the Republican primary in the Smithtown supervisor's race. He is seeking&nbsp;his fourth term as supervisor.&nbsp;</li> 
 <li>He served on the town board for 12 years and worked in Smithtown's&nbsp;Parks, Building and Grounds Department from 1971 to 2003. He led the department from 1989 to 2003.</li> 
 <li>Wehrheim, Navy veteran, served in Vietnam. He is a Kings Park High School graduate.</li> 
</ul> 
<h3>ISSUES</h3> 
<ul> 
 <li>Wehrheim said&nbsp;that during his tenure in office, his administration has invested in town parks and steadily improved the town’s bond rating and overall financial condition.</li> 
 <li>He said that if reelected, he wants to focus on upgrades to the town’s parks, major renovation work to town-owned buildings and offices, improving the town’s senior center, and placing cameras in all of the town’s drainage systems to alert the town so they can prevent flooding on town roads.</li> 
 <li>On development, Wehrheim said areas such as downtown Kings Park have been “depressed” for years, and that he want to bolster the area’s housing supply as a way to revitalize the downtown corridor.</li> 
</ul>

Supervisor, Town of Smithtown - Republican

Vincent E. Colavita

<h3>BACKGROUND</h3> 
<ul> 
 <li>Colavita, 46, of Huntington, is running on the Working Families Party line in the primary election. He is also running on the Democratic Party line. This is his first time running for elected office.</li> 
 <li>Colavita worked in technology at a Manhattan law firm and previously worked as a paralegal.</li> 
 <li>He received a bachelor’s degree in history from LIU Post and a master’s degree in Information and Digital Resource Management from Columbia University.</li> 
</ul> 
<h3>ISSUES</h3> 
<ul> 
 <li>Colavita said he believes the highway department is an important source of jobs to the community and believes in improving the experience for its workers.</li> 
 <li>He said he is focused on upscaling training to improve career opportunities for the town’s employees.</li> 
 <li>Colavita said he is focused on managing the department’s budget to ensure 800 miles of the town’s roads are maintained properly.</li> 
</ul>

Chris Haines

<p>Information was not available on Haines&nbsp;and attempts to reach Haines&nbsp;were unsuccessful.</p>

Superintendent of Highways, Town of Huntington - Working Families

Frank Black

Salvatore Formica

Suffolk County Legislator, 13th District - Republican

Shawn Cullinane

Richard J. Renna

Suffolk County Legislator, 14th District - Republican

David P. Bennardo

<h3>BACKGROUND</h3> 
<ul> 
 <li>Bennardo, 58, of East Northport, is running on the Republican Party line for Huntington Town Council in the primary election as the incumbent.</li> 
 <li> <p>Bennardo is seeking a second term after being elected in 2021.</p> </li> 
 <li> <p>Bennardo is the former superintendent of the South Huntington school district and currently serves as the director of public school partnerships at St. John’s University.</p> </li> 
</ul> 
<h3>ISSUES</h3> 
<ul> 
 <li> <p>Bennardo said he wants to continue&nbsp;providing public&nbsp;services for residents without raising taxes.</p> </li> 
 <li> <p>He said he believes in the town maintaining strong relationships with schools, religious institutions, businesses and other organizations.</p> </li> 
 <li> <p>Bennardo said he wants to maintain growth while adding green space and protecting the environment.</p> </li> 
</ul>

Eugene Cook

Gregory Grizopoulos

John Posillico

Council member, Town of Huntington - Republican

Stephen Anastasia

<h3>BACKGROUND</h3> 
<ul> 
 <li>Anastasia, 40, of Fort Salonga, is a registered Democrat seeing the endorsement of the Working Families Party.</li> 
 <li>Anastasia is an associate attorney with international law firm Reed Smith. He received a bachelor's degree in 2006 from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point&nbsp;and received a law degree in 2016 from Fordham University School of Law.</li> 
 <li>Anastasia says he served in the U.S. Army from 2006 to 2011, receiving an honorable discharge&nbsp;as captain. He added he served in Operation&nbsp;Iraqi Freedom and received a Bronze Star.</li> 
</ul> 
<h3>ISSUES</h3> 
<ul> 
 <li>Anastasia said he wants to ensure&nbsp;“taxpayers' dollars are spent transparently,” adding town services should&nbsp;“provide measurable community benefits.”</li> 
 <li>He said he would enhance economic opportunities through&nbsp;policies that promote&nbsp;small business growth, labor protections and job creation. “We can foster job creation by investing in infrastructure and smart growth that attracts businesses,&quot; he said.</li> 
 <li>He said he would strengthen&nbsp;public safety and improve&nbsp;ties between police&nbsp;and community. He would promote community events involving police&nbsp;and public forums,&nbsp;“making sure all voices are heard and all concerns are raised.”</li> 
</ul>

George B. Bergbuchle

<p>Information was not available on Bergbuchler and attempts to reach him were unsuccessful.</p>

Erick B. Greene

<p>Information was not available on Greene&nbsp;and attempts to reach him were unsuccessful.</p>

Jennifer A. Hebert

<h3>BACKGROUND</h3> 
<ul> 
 <li>Hebert, 57, of Huntington, is a registered Democrat seeking Working Families Party cross-endorsement.</li> 
 <li>She has been director of St. John’s Nursery School in Huntington for 15 years and previously served on the Huntington school board for nine years, including two years as president.</li> 
 <li>Hebert received a bachelor's degree from Tufts University in&nbsp;1990 and as&nbsp;master's degree from Tufts in 1992.&nbsp;</li> 
</ul> 
<p data-atex-currentstyle="" data-atex-mc="0" data-atex-pstyle="" data-atex-tagstart="0"><span data-atex-cstyle="EM-SPACE" data-atex-currentstyle="EM-SPACE" data-atex-id="cmd" data-atex-mc="0" data-atex-name="EM" data-atex-tagstart="0" data-atex-uat="{}"> </span><span data-atex-cstyle="EM-SPACE" data-atex-currentstyle="EM-SPACE" data-atex-id="cmd" data-atex-mc="0" data-atex-name="QA" data-atex-tagstart="1" data-atex-uat="{ }"> </span></p> 
<h3>ISSUES</h3> 
<ul> 
 <li>Hebert said she would focus on housing and overdevelopment, saying young people need affordable places to live. </li> 
 <li>She said she also wants to improve town services. &quot; ... we pay a lot of money and I think we should&nbsp;be getting better services for what we pay,&quot; she said.</li> 
 <li>Hebert also wants to improve recycling and&nbsp;park services. “Some of our parks don’t have proper bathrooms,&quot; she said.</li> 
</ul>

Council Member, Town of Huntington - Working Families

Thomas J. McCarthy

<p><strong>Thomas J. McCarthy</strong></p><p><strong>Republican</strong></p><p><strong>BACKGROUND: </strong></p><ul>    <li>McCarthy did not respond to an interview request. In a 2017 voter guide, he said he was a Nissequogue Village resident and a graduate of Smithtown High School East.<strong> </strong></li>   </ul>

Lynne C. Nowick

<h3>BACKGROUND</h3> 
<ul> 
 <li>Nowick, 77, of Saint James, is competing in the Republican primary for a seat on the Smithtown Town Board.</li> 
 <li>She is running for her fourth term in office.&nbsp;</li> 
 <li><span data-atex-cstyle="EM-SPACE" data-atex-currentstyle="EM-SPACE" data-atex-id="cmd" data-atex-mc="0" data-atex-name="EM" data-atex-tagstart="0" data-atex-uat="{}">Nowick previously served as a Suffolk County legislator. </span><span data-atex-cstyle="EM-SPACE" data-atex-currentstyle="EM-SPACE" data-atex-id="cmd" data-atex-mc="0" data-atex-name="QA" data-atex-tagstart="1" data-atex-uat="{ }"> </span></li> 
</ul> 
<h3>ISSUES</h3> 
<ul> 
 <li>Nowick said&nbsp;she “believes in preservation,”&nbsp;highlighting how she advocated for preserving a park property and farmland in Smithtown while in the county legislature.</li> 
 <li>If reelected, Nowick said,&nbsp;she wants to prioritize the improvement of parks and beaches.</li> 
 <li>Nowick said&nbsp;she also wants to make downtowns, including Kings Park, safer for pedestrians to walk. Improvement of foot traffic and the development of sewers in areas such as Smithtown and Kings Park are critical to helping small businesses thrive, Nowick said.</li> 
</ul>

Robert Semprini

Joann Varello

Council Member, Town of Smithtown - Republican

Ieshia O. Galicia

<p>Information was not available on Galicia and attempts to reach Galicia&nbsp;were unsuccessful.</p>

Thomas F. Neely

<h3>BACKGROUND</h3> 
<ul> 
 <li>Neely, 69, of Sag Harbor, is running on the Democratic Party line in the general election and seeks the nomination to run on the Working Families Party line.&nbsp;</li> 
 <li>A Pittsburgh native, he has a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University and moved to Southampton in 1987, where he worked at Hampton Jitney as a vice president until 2004.</li> 
 <li>He retired from Southampton Town as transportation and traffic safety director in 2021 and currently serves on the town's planning board.</li> 
</ul> 
<p data-atex-currentstyle="" data-atex-mc="0" data-atex-pstyle="" data-atex-tagstart="0"><span data-atex-cstyle="EM-SPACE" data-atex-currentstyle="EM-SPACE" data-atex-id="cmd" data-atex-mc="0" data-atex-name="EM" data-atex-tagstart="0" data-atex-uat="{}"> </span><span data-atex-cstyle="EM-SPACE" data-atex-currentstyle="EM-SPACE" data-atex-id="cmd" data-atex-mc="0" data-atex-name="QA" data-atex-tagstart="1" data-atex-uat="{ }"> </span></p> 
<h3>ISSUES</h3> 
<ul> 
 <li>Neely emphasized the need for traffic infrastructure improvements, affordable housing and environmental protection and said he would prioritize clean water and support housing initiatives.</li> 
 <li>As town transportation director, Neely said he collaborated on projects to ease traffic, notably the launch of the Long Island Rail Road commuter connection, a network of trains and bus shuttles for commuters. He said he supports road improvements and would advocate for more infrastructure projects that boost public transportation. “We’re never going to get to the point where you don’t have to ever touch your brakes between Hampton Bays and Montauk,” Neely said. “But we can make it better.”</li> 
 <li>In reviewing applications before the planning board, Neely said he’s concerned about overdevelopment and overclearing of land. If elected, he said, he would focus on town code changes to address those issues and strike a better balance between development and community character.</li> 
</ul>