All 19 seats up for election in Nassau County Legislature

American flags embellish the front lawn of the Nassau County... — American flags embellish the front lawn of the Nassau County executive building, with its statue of Theodore Roosevelt, in Mineola. Credit: Newsday / J. Conrad Williams Jr.

By Candice Ferrettecandice.ferrette@newsday.com candiceferretteOctober 27, 2021

Thirty-eight candidates are vying to fill 19 seats on the Nassau County Legislature, where Republicans hold an 11-8 majority over Democrats.

All but Republican Legis. Vincent Muscarella are seeking reelection on Nov. 2.

Muscarella, 66, of West Hempstead, one of the longest serving Nassau legislators, is running for District Court judge.

That means Nassau's Legislative District 8 — which encompasses Franklin Square, Floral Park, Bellerose, Bellerose Terrace, West Hempstead and portions of Elmont, New Hyde Park and Stewart Manor — will have a new representative for the first time in more than 25 years.

Democrat Nadia Holubnyczyj, 53, of Floral Park, a speech pathologist, school clerk and activist, is running against Republican John J. Giuffre, 57, of Stewart Manor, a personal injury attorney.

In two other races, in Districts 6 and 7, voters will encounter rematches.

In the Sixth, GOP Legis. C. William Gaylor faces a challenge from Democrat Laura Burns, who ran against him in 2019. The district includes Lynbrook, Malverne, North Lynbrook, Valley Stream and portions of Rockville Centre, Hewlett, Franklin Square and Woodmere.

Gaylor, 58, of Lynbrook is an attorney and retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel who served on active duty for 23 years in Panama, Germany, South Korea and Kosovo.

Burns, 52, is an author of young adult novels who helped establish the group Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, after the Sandy Hook school massacre.

In the 7th District, Democrat Lisa Daniels, 55, an attorney from East Rockaway, is making her second attempt to unseat Legis. Howard Kopel (R-Lawrence), after losing to Kopel in 2013.

Kopel, 70, an attorney, the legislature's deputy presiding officer and an attorney, is seeking his seventh term in office.

The races are:

District 1: Democrat Kevan M. Abrahams vs. Republican Elton E. McCabe, Jr.

District 2: Democrat Siela A. Bynoe vs. Republican Harold H. Germain

District 3: Democrat Carrié Solages vs. Republican Bernadin Fleurima

District 4: Republican Denise A. Ford vs. Democrat Claudia P. Lovas

District 5: Democrat Debra S. Mulé vs. Republican Brian J. McEvoy

District 6: Republican C. William Gaylor vs. Democrat Laura J. Burns

District 7: Republican Howard J. Kopel vs. Democrat Lisa Daniels

District 8: Democrat Nadia Holubnyczyj vs. Republican John J. Giuffre

District 9: Republican Richard J. Nicolello vs. Democrat Salju K. Thomas

District 10: Democrat Ellen W. Birnbaum vs. Republican Mazi Melesa Pilip