Assemb. David McDonough, Republican candidate for New York's 14th Assembly...

Assemb. David McDonough, Republican candidate for New York's 14th Assembly District. Credit: James Escher

After 16 years, David McDonough’s network in the district runs deep. The 79-year-old Merrick Republican involves his community in confronting problems and connects his constituents with power brokers.

McDonough organized a meeting between members of the Islamic Center of Long Island and law enforcement officials including the FBI and Secret Service. Opening these lines of communication can only be helpful. He wants term limits on Assembly leadership positions and, given public cynicism about Albany, won’t vote for a raise for lawmakers.

Democrat Michael Reid, 54, of Merrick, is a retired paramedic and a director with the state firemen’s association. He has good ideas, such as 10-year term limits for lawmakers so they can groom the next generation. But there’s no good reason to turn out McDonough.

Newsday endorses McDonough.

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