Richard Nicolello won't run again for Nassau County Legislature

Richard Nicolello, presiding officer of the Republican-controlled Nassau County Legislature, will not seek reelection in November, he told Newsday on Monday.

Nicolello, 63, an insurance attorney from New Hyde Park, is the longest serving legislator on the 19-member board.

He will finish out his 28th year of service, including six as presiding officer and four before as deputy presiding officer.

“It’s a been a long commitment and it takes its toll on a family,” said Nicolello, who has two adult children with his wife, Susan, a retired teacher. “There’s a lot of talent within the party and other people who deserve to have their shot.”

He said he believed the county is in “its best financial shape since the legislature began,” citing bond upgrades, budget surpluses, strong sales tax numbers and well-established reserves from an opioid settlement and other streams of revenue such as federal pandemic funding.

Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams (D-Freeport) said Nicolello "distinguished himself as a statesman and a gentleman."

"While we have had disagreements along the way, I will always be grateful that these debates never undermined our friendship and the mutual respect that we have for each other," Abrahams said. 

Nicolello has been a practicing attorney since 1986 and is of counsel to the law firm of Congdon, Flaherty, O'Callaghan, Reid, Donlon, Travis & Fishlinger, where he leads the firm's insurance coverage group. 

He is chairman of the legislature's Rules Committee and is vice chairman of the Budget Review Committee.

He also is an original member of the Nassau legislature, having represented the 9th Legislative District since 1996.

The district includes the communities of New Hyde Park, Garden City Park, Mineola, Williston Park, East Williston, Albertson, Roslyn Estates, Munsey Park and Plandome.   

Nassau County Republican Committee chairman Joseph Cairo on Monday called Nicolello "a true leader."  

“Collegial in nature and strong in conviction, Rich Nicolello has succeeded in keeping Nassau neighbors safe while holding the line on taxes," Cairo said in a statement. "He will be missed by colleagues and friends, and he leaves behind an impressive legacy of governmental efficiency and effectiveness.”

Nicolello's district was said to have become more favorable to his reelection under a new map for the 19 legislative districts adopted last week with the addition of Floral Park and other sections of New Hyde Park. 

Nassau GOP spokesman Mike Deery said the committee is considering several qualified candidates and "will be prepared to make an announcement soon."

Candidates need to file petitions indicating their intention to run for elected office by next month, according to Nassau's Board of Elections.   

Republicans hold a 12-7 majority on the Nassau legislature. 

Nicolello is the last of the original lawmakers on the Nassau County Legislature since its inception in 1996. Before 1996, Nassau was governed by a Board of Supervisors. 

Republican Vincent Muscarella, who represented the nearby 8th Legislative District, was the second-longest serving member before leaving to become a District Court judge early last year.

By Candice Ferrette

candice.ferrette@newsday.comcandiceferrette

Candice Ferrette covers Nassau County government and politics on Long Island. She has been a reporter at Newsday since 2011.