Republicans, Democrats pick candidates for Nassau, Suffolk races
Suffolk Democrats are headed for a primary in New York’s 1st Congressional District, Nassau Democrats are hoping to avert one in the 4th and Republicans are looking for a challenger for Democrat Tom Suozzi in the 3rd, according to new candidate lists released by the parties.
The Nassau and Suffolk GOP held nominating conventions over the past two weeks, announcing their slates for races for Congress, the state Senate and Assembly and local judgeships. Nassau and Suffolk Democrats are not holding conventions. In Nassau, committee members are being encouraged to collect petitions by the April 4 deadline to help party candidates qualify for the ballot.
In Nassau, Democratic primaries are expected in at least two state Senate races. In the 6th District, Nassau Legis. Siela Bynoe (D-Westbury), Assemb. Taylor Darling (D-Hempstead) and Carmen J. Piñeyro, a former Freeport deputy village mayor, are vying to succeed State Sen. Kevin Thomas (D-Levittown). Republicans have not named a candidate in the race.
In the 7th District, where State Sen. Jack Martins (R-Old Westbury) is the incumbent, three Democrats have filed to run: former Nassau Legis. Josh Lafazan of Woodbury; Kim Keiserman, a Port Washington resident who heads the local Democratic club; and Brad Schwartz, a television producer and editor from Roslyn.
In Suffolk, the parties are focused on the 1st Assembly District, as 30-year incumbent Fred Thiele Jr. (D-Sag Harbor) prepares to retire. Southampton Town Councilman Tommy John Schiavoni, a Democrat, will face Shelter Island Town Attorney Stephen Kiely, a Republican.
Suffolk Republicans announced their candidates during their Feb. 21 convention at the Elks Lodge in Smithtown. Suffolk Democrats provided a list of their candidates.
In the 1st Congressional District Democratic primary, former CNN political analyst John Avlon will face off against Nancy Goroff, a former Stony Brook University chemistry department chair who ran unsuccessfully for the seat in 2020. The winner will run against Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Amityville), who is seeking a second term.
Last week, the Democratic field in the race narrowed from five candidates to two.
Former State Sen. James Gaughran (D-Northport) dropped out Tuesday after the State Legislature approved new district lines. Democrats Kyle Hill and Craig Herskowitz also suspended their campaigns.
Nassau Republicans named their candidates at their convention Monday at Levittown Hall in Hicksville. In the 4th Congressional District, freshman Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-Island Park) could face a rematch with former Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen, the Democratic nominee in 2022. Thomas dropped out of the race on Thursday as party leaders sought to clear the field for Gillen. Three other Democrats have filed for the seat: former Nassau Legis. David Denenberg of Merrick, Patricia Maher of Baldwin and Gian Jones of Woodmere.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) swore in Suozzi on Wednesday to serve out the rest of expelled former Congressman George Santos' term, which expires Dec. 31. Suozzi, who defeated Republican Mazi Melesa Pilip in the Feb. 13 special election, is running for a full term in November.
In the 2nd District, which includes portions of both counties, Democrats selected Rob Lubin to challenge Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport), who is running for a third term.
Primary races are set for June 25 and the general election is Nov. 5.
With Scott Eidler
SUFFOLK/NASSAU REPUBLICANS
Congress:
1st District: Nicholas LaLota
2nd District: Andrew Garbarino
3rd District: TBD
4th District: Anthony D’Esposito
NYS Senate:
1st District: Anthony Palumbo
2nd District: Mario Mattera
3rd District: Dean Murray
4th District: Teresa Bryant
5th District: Steven Rhoads
6th District: TBD
7th District: Jack Martins
8th District: Alexis Weik
9th District: Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick
NYS Assembly
1st District: Stephen Kiely
2nd District: Jodi Giglio
3rd District: Joseph DeStefano
4th District: Edward Flood
5th District: Douglas Smith
6th District: TBD
7th District: Jarrett Gandolfo
8th District: Michael Fitzpatrick
9th District: Michael Durso
10th District: Aamir Sultan
11th District: Joseph Cardinale
12th District: Keith Brown
13th District: Ruka Anzai
14th District: David McDonough
15th District: Jake Ryan Blumencranz
16th District: Daniel Norber
17th District: John Mikulin
18th District: Danielle Smikle
19th District: Edward Ra
20th District: Eric Ari Brown
21st District: Brian Curran
22nd District: Ian Bergstrom
Suffolk County Court Judge
Philip Goglas, Peter McGreevy
Suffolk County Family Court
TBA
Nassau County Court Judge
Terence Murphy
Nassau County Family Court Judge
Joseph Nocella
Suffolk County District Court, 2nd District
James McDonaugh
Suffolk County District Court, 3rd District
TBA
Suffolk County District Court, 4th District
John Zollo, Paul Hennings
Suffolk County District Court, 6th District
TBA
Nassau County District Court, 2nd District
Andrew Phoenix, Veronica Irwin, Ryan Cronin, TBA
Nassau County District Court, 4th District
Charles McQuair, Michele Johnson, Lisa Lo Curto
East Hampton Town Council
TBA
City of Long Beach Justice Court
Corey Klein
Riverhead, Southampton and Shelter Island town justice courts
TBA
Source: Suffolk, Nassau County Republican Committees
SUFFOLK DEMOCRATS
Congress
1s Congressional District, Primary: John Avlon, Nancy Goroff
2nd District: Robert Lubin
NYS Senate
1st District: Sarah Anker
2nd District: Craig Herskowitz
3rd District: Michael Conroy
4th District: Monica Martinez
8th District: Jack Loubier
NYS Assembly
1st District: Thomas Schiavoni
2nd District: Tricia Chiaramonte
3rd District: Matthew Jennings
4th District, Primary: Skyler Johnson, Rebecca Kassay
5th District: Joseph Hagelman
6th District: Philip Ramos
7th District: Garrett Petersen
8th District: Steven Basileo
9th District: Steven DellaVecchia
10th District: Steve Stern
11th District: Kimberly Jean-Pierre
12th District: Robert Lopez
East Hampton Town Council
Ian. Calder-Piedmonte
Suffolk County Court
Anthony LaPinta, Gail Lolis
Family Court
Stuart Besen
2nd District Court
James McDonaugh
3rd District Court
Eric Sachs
4th District Court
Maria Scheuring, TBA
6th District Court
Margot Garant, Dorothy Cavalier, TBA
Southampton Town Justice
Adam Grossman, Karen M. Sartain
Riverhead and Shelter Island Town Justice
TBA
Source: Suffolk County Democratic Committee
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Newsday Live Music Series: Long Island Idols Newsday Live presents a special evening of music and conversation with local singers who grabbed the national spotlight on shows like "The Voice," "America's Got Talent,""The X-Factor" and "American Idol." Newsday Senior Lifestyle Host Elisa DiStefano leads a discussion and audience Q&A as the singers discuss their TV experiences, careers and perform original songs.