Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick for New York's 9th Senate District

When Todd Kaminsky vacated his seat, two experienced village officials stepped into the race to represent this southwest Nassau County district: Democrat Kenneth Moore, mayor of Bellerose, and Republican Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, a Malverne trustee.

And there is much on which the two fresh faces agree.

Both supported the development of UBS Arena at Belmont Park, though Moore continues to have concerns about parking, and both support the bonding proposal that would allow racing officials to build a new grandstand and clubhouse facility. Both criticize plans to toll Manhattan's central business district and both recognize the need for improved enforcement on the Southern State Parkway.

In outlining her priorities, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick uses a dynamic, thoughtful approach as she knowledgeably drills down on individual neighborhoods across the district. She advocates revitalizing communities like Inwood with additional housing and other development, improving public transit hubs like Valley Stream, and alleviating traffic on the Nassau Expressway. While she speaks to statewide issues by suggesting targeted revisions to criminal justice laws to better fight crime and supports putting an equality amendment on the ballot, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick recognizes that job creation and support for small businesses are significant building blocks for her district. That's why she won't discount the notion of supporting siting a casino on Long Island or even in the district, as Belmont has been mentioned as a potential spot.

However, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, 57, is misguided in her support for wide exemptions for unvaccinated children to attend school. If elected, she should make an effort to better understand the public health need to require vaccines for diseases like polio and measles.

Moore says he hopes to be a "strong voice for middle class families" and his attention on economic issues fits with that theme. He ticks off general topics of importance to the district's residents, from drinking water and flooding to high taxes and school funding, but can't delve into them with detail or offer new solutions. Even when asked to assess the district's specific needs, Moore often pivots back to Bellerose, the village he knows best.

A volunteer firefighter and retired union leader, Moore, 61, said he worries about the possible addition of more accessory dwelling units in the district, particularly those in basements with no exits. And while he says he would try to get more developers to focus on building more affordable units, he also notes that the district is "fairly built up."

Moore is a smart, capable elected official, but lacks the bigger thinking beyond the boundaries of the community he leads. That's necessary for anyone to represent a district with needs as diverse as the 9th. Of the two, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick is better prepared to take on that challenge.

Newsday endorses Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick.