The town board race behind the CD4 battle

Daily Point

Retired Nassau legislator Kevan Abrahams could drive up turnout for Dems

Since the start of Hempstead Town’s councilmanic districts in 2000, the 5th District seat has always been held by a Republican — from Angie Cullen to Erin King-Sweeney to the late Chris Carini.

Now, a Democrat with significant name recognition is running for the seat, in a special election to fill the remainder of the term after Carini’s death last month.

Can Kevan Abrahams, the former Nassau County Legislature’s minority leader who retired last year, win the seat? A more interesting question might be whether Abrahams’ campaign has larger goals in mind.

Multiple Democratic observers told The Point that Abrahams — along with State Senate Democratic candidate Siela Bynoe — could be crucial players in driving up turnout that could help fellow Democrat Laura Gillen take back the 4th Congressional District seat held by Republican Anthony D’Esposito.

"Siela Bynoe and good solid elected officials like Kevan build up the momentum in key areas that is crucial to winning back the seat," one observer said. "It would make a huge difference and it’s a smart move."

Abrahams told The Point that state Democratic Party chair Jay Jacobs approached him about making the run last week, adding that he only agreed after making sure he could maintain his existing position with Northwell Health and some of the consulting work he has been doing. And while Abrahams didn’t dismiss the theory that his name on the ticket could help Gillen, he said he was running to add "another level of transparency" and an "alternative voice" on the GOP-dominated town board.

"I would be naive to not think that my name would not help Laura Gillen," Abrahams said. "I absolutely believe, just based off my track record, that yes, it would definitely help Laura Gillen to have me on the ticket, as well as Siela. I totally agree with that narrative."

"But that’s not why I’m doing it," Abrahams added. "I was enjoying my retirement and I’m not going to disrupt what I’m doing just to run to help Laura Gillen, who I think is a great candidate."

Abrahams noted that redistricting brought all of Freeport — his base — into the 5th councilmanic district. Before redistricting, part of Abrahams' district was represented by Hempstead Town board member Dorothy Goosby, a fellow Democrat.

Another observer noted that Gillen has particular weak spots within the minority community in the congressional district where voters might not come out for her, but where they might support Abrahams and Bynoe. And Abrahams said he plans to campaign for and with Gillen throughout the next few months.

Abrahams will run against Seaford community leader Chris Schneider, who this week was appointed by the town board to temporarily fill the vacant seat until the special election, to be held on Election Day.

Jacobs, who also chairs the Nassau County party, told The Point he thinks Abrahams can win the seat — but that he, too, recognizes the impact Abrahams’ run could have on the congressional race.

"It’s a tough race, but it’s a winnable race," Jacobs said of the town board seat. "And yes, at the same time, I think his being on the ticket is going to help bring out the vote for Laura Gillen. So, it works both ways. It didn’t happen by accident."

Jacobs noted that both Bynoe and Abrahams can boost Gillen in key parts of CD4.

"Both are proven vote-getters, both have strong roots in the community, as well as a base to help pull out the vote, and they’re also good to work with and they understand and appreciate the importance of the team," Jacobs said.

Abrahams told The Point he was committed to serving if he won.

"To squash the conspiracy theorists, barring my health or something with my family, I plan to serve the remaining term. I’m not leaving early and I’m not doing this just to help Laura Gillen," he said. "I can see why folks would come up with that narrative. But I plan to serve."

— Randi F. Marshall randi.marshall@newsday.com

Pencil Point

Getting in step

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Final Point

Builders Institute starts super PAC

The Long Island Builders Institute is creating its own super PAC — an independent expenditures committee that will spend money to highlight key development and building issues across the region and support candidates who share the institute’s priorities, The Point has learned.

The super PAC — called The Coalition for Long Island’s Future — will face fewer limitations than LIBI’s existing political action committee. A super PAC can’t coordinate with candidates, and candidates have no say in how its money is spent. But it also has no contribution limits and can spend as much as it wants.

Mike Florio, LIBI’s executive director, noted that despite the work of LIBI’s regular PAC, which donates more than $200,000 to local candidates each year, building on Long Island hasn’t gotten much easier.

"One of our members has likened development on Long Island to pushing a boulder up a mountain," Florio told The Point. "The purpose of this [new super] PAC is to help level that slope."

Florio said conversations within LIBI about the idea of a super PAC began last year and intensified after Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation in December that would move all elections to even years.

"There is a fear that it will be very challenging to break through with any type of messaging that affects local communities," Florio said. "Having this mechanism in place to get messaging out . . . and maybe break through the glut of all the larger messaging is important."

Florio said that while there’s paperwork still to do, The Coalition for Long Island’s Future will begin its efforts this fall with a few select candidates and specific issues. And while the Coalition is getting its start through LIBI, Florio said he hopes other local groups will get involved and contribute to it.

Among the topics it could spotlight in the near term: Huntington Town’s Melville corridor rezoning and the Suffolk County water quality referendum. In the future, Florio said he expects to focus on broad missions and goals, while also supporting significant developments like Midway Crossing and Heartland Town Square and specific candidates who align with LIBI’s messaging. LIBI also is working on a new economic impact study to assess the role of the building and remodeling industry on the Island; the Coalition may be a vehicle to amplify the findings.

"If you’re talking about something of regional significance on Long Island, who’s doing that campaign now?" Florio said. "There’s really no vehicle to promote that message . . . So, this is a sustained campaign to address the benefits of smart growth."

— Randi F. Marshall randi.marshall@newsday.com

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