Noah Burroughs announces Assembly run

He’s served on the Hempstead village board. He’s taught for 20 years, and he even played for the New York Jets. Now Noah Burroughs is looking for a new way to give back to his community: He wants to represent it in the Assembly.

“Many people want to know why,” Burroughs told a crowd at Vybez on the Main in Hempstead. “Why would a teacher want to run for state Assembly? Why would a founder of a non-profit organization want to run for state Assembly? Why would a football coach and former professional athlete want to run for state Assembly?

“Why would a person who's given everything he’s had to his community, want to run for state Assembly? Because of everything I just mentioned.”

Burroughs seeks the seat currently held by Assemblywoman Taylor Darling, who recently announced she is running for the state senate. He’s joining a Democratic field that already includes Lakeview Civic Association president Lisa Ortiz.

“As a trustee, I have become very knowledgeable,” Burroughs said, “gained a lot of experience in politics, and have been able to help change the plight of the situation in this community. And that is why I want to expand this to the rest of the communities in the 18th District.”

Born and raised in Hempstead, the former professional football player says he shares a deep concern for the communities Darling’s seat represents — communities that include not only his hometown, but also Uniondale, Roosevelt, Lakeview, and parts of Freeport.

“I personally care about this community,” he said. “I personally care about everything that I've seen here — whether it be negative or positive — and I want to push for things to change in the right direction.”

What that right direction looks like, according to Burroughs, is “bringing resources and creating opportunities within these very communities” to ensure “affordable housing, and making sure that education and Medicaid are both fully funded.”

“The thing with this district,” Burroughs said, “Uniondale, Roosevelt and Lakeview have no direct representation. There is no mayor, and so they don’t have someone to fight for them directly to get the resources they need.”

Burroughs already is getting support for his bid from Nassau County Legislator Scott Davis. He believes Burroughs’ past as a professional athlete will translate well into the Assembly.

“He understands the most important thing is listening,” Davis said, “and getting the job done.”

Burroughs credits his parents for inspiring him to run and fight for change, looking up to his father who left home to travel to Savannah, Georgia, in the 1960s to help integrate that city. He later ended up in Atlanta alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“I remember asking him, ‘Why?’” Burroughs said. “’Why did you do this?’ And he told me, ‘When I see something isn’t right, I have to fight.’”

Primaries are scheduled for June 25, with the general election set to take place Nov. 5.