Nassau Dems tap Siela Bynoe to run for Troiano legislative seat

Nassau Democrats Monday night nominated an affordable housing advocate from Westbury to run in next month's special election for county legislature.

Siela Bynoe, 46, a top official at the Huntington Housing Authority, will seek the seat that Legis. Robert Troiano (D-Westbury) recently vacated to take a post with North Hempstead Town.

The election is Feb. 11.

"She's been working in the field with people who need the services of government, so she's familiar with that," said Nassau Democratic chairman Jay Jacobs. "I think that will help her do the job here."

Bynoe, who couldn't be reached for comment, has worked previously at the Long Island Housing Partnership and with North Hempstead's housing authority, and has served on the Westbury school board.

Republicans have said they'll likely run Pepitz Blanchard, of Westbury, a respiratory therapist for Nassau University Medical Center, whom Troiano beat in November.

The 2nd Legislative District -- which includes Hempstead, West Hempstead, Westbury, New Cassel, Lakeview, Hicksville, Rockville Centre and East Garden City -- has 24,395 registered Democrats, 6,031 registered Republicans and 5,976 unaffiliated voters, according to the Nassau Board of Elections.