John M. Kennedy Jr. for Suffolk comptroller

Suffolk Comptroller John M. Kennedy Jr. has been busy since the county's computer system was hacked by cyber thieves demanding ransom. With no ability to send electronic payments to vendors, particularly nonprofits that employ hundreds of people, Kennedy signed about 600 paper checks to make sure payments were timely. His office also cobbled together a workaround to complete delinquent tax searches so the county clerk could clear titles for real estate closings.

The cyber-hack created a detour from the job's main responsibility: making sure county spending is proper, all the more important now when Suffolk is flush with cash. The American Rescue Plan sent $286 million in COVID-19 relief funds, and the initial $25 million from opioid litigation is the bank.

The times call for an experienced and steady hand to oversee county finances. That's why Kennedy deserves a third and final term in the job.

Kennedy's entire career has been in government, starting as a vocational rehabilitation counselor for the state before joining the Suffolk County clerk's office. He served 10 years in the county legislature before winning the comptroller's seat in 2014. He lost a bid for county executive to Steve Bellone in 2019.

The comptroller's statutory duties to audit county spending are key, and Kennedy has aggressively ensured that money for homeless shelters and residences for domestic violence victims goes to its intended purposes. Kennedy shut down three shelters because "they were horrible facilities," he said, and failed to deliver proper services. Overall, he has reclaimed more than $8 million improperly used for staff salaries and benefits.

The anonymous tips hotline Kennedy established earlier in his tenure, so the public could be the "eyes and ears" for reporting wasteful county spending, proved fruitful, he said. If reelected, he should promote it more aggressively. Kennedy seeks state authorization to be a co-auditor, with the state comptroller, of the county's Industrial Development Agency and local development corporations. That's a smart move. 

Kennedy said that Suffolk, which was dangerously close to running out of money before COVID hit, is financially flush with enough cash for 2023. But 2024 could be a problem, he said, if an expected recession is severe and the county has to pay higher interest rates on its borrowing. All the more reason to have a wise eye on the ledger.

While Kennedy, 66, has tinged some of his criticism with political rhetoric and has been a thorn in the side of Bellone, he says now he tries to "stay in my lane." That's a good path. Four years ago, Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman ran a spirited and close race against Kennedy. This time, Suffolk Democrats are not really trying. Thomas Dolan, a financial planner from Babylon, is not actively campaigning.

Newsday endorses Kennedy.