Jarett Gandolfo for New York State Assembly 7th District

Encompassing much of Suffolk County's South Shore and Fire Island, the 7th Assembly District is a poster child for threats to the region's coastal resiliency, erosion, rising sea levels and flooding issues. Jarett C. Gandolfo is attuned to those concerns, recognizing the need for funding for buyouts and for infrastructure improvements that can better prepare the Island for future storms.

The Sayville Republican, who is completing his second term in Albany, considers sewers and wastewater infrastructure a high priority, especially when it comes to efforts to build additional housing. He's open to considering newly revised plans to redevelop the Island Hills golf course in Sayville, saying they are a "massive improvement" over previous attempts.

Gandolfo trumpets issues that hit close to home for him — including the continued expansion of universal pre-K and confronting the extraordinary expense of child care. Last year, Gandolfo, 34, introduced a "blueprint for child care" that would allow for a regionalized cost factor in the state's employer-sponsored child care plans, so Long Islanders' ability to participate wouldn't be constrained by the region's higher income compared with upstate. Disappointingly, Gandolfo didn't seek a partner from across the aisle to help move the valuable proposal forward.

Garrett J. Petersen, a technology specialist at the Developmental Disabilities Institute, is passionate about special education funding, accessibility improvements on the Long Island Rail Road, and reform legislation to eliminate some health care costs and ease the process of seeing specialists and getting medical care.

There's little daylight between Petersen, an East Islip Democrat, and the incumbent on issues like education, environmental protections and public transit funding, although Petersen, 42, does rightly push back on what he calls "irrational fear" regarding crimes committed by migrants. While not ready for Albany, Petersen's political instincts and skills are solid.

Gandolfo is a capable, moderate young voice in the GOP conference. In a new term, he should develop stronger relationships with Long Island Democrats who could assist him in getting important legislation passed. 

Newsday's editorial board endorses Gandolfo.