Editorial: Maher in Nassau 13th District

Patricia Maher is a gadfly extraordinaire. The 52-year-old resident of East Meadow is a tireless worker with a solid understanding of Nassau's issues. And she knows her district well, having run for offices at all levels of government -- despite an utter lack of support from Democratic Party leaders. She won the right to run against incumbent Norma Gonsalves, 77, of East Meadow, by beating Joseph Spinola in September's primary.

This is Maher's third run against Gonsalves in a general election. Gonsalves, trying for her eighth term, touts her constituent service, particularly her support for Nassau University Medical Center. That's why it's disappointing that she has such a laissez-faire attitude about board-member shake-ups there and the GOP redistricting scheme that would have removed the hospital from her district. She has also taken a hands-off approach to the problematic privatization of Long Island Bus.

Gonsalves has had a good run, but in this era of distrust of the political class, it's time to give a knowledgeable outsider a chance. Newsday endorses Maher.