Politics

New endorsements for Curran, Lavine in county executive race

Three Democrats vie to replace Mangano

Posted

Two of the three Democrats vying for embattled Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano’s position scored further endorsements following a debate-style forum held by the Rockville Centre and Lakeview Democratic clubs last week.

Legislator Laura Curran, of Baldwin, who has been endorsed by the Nassau County Democratic Committee, and is running on a platform of cleaning up corruption and restoring trust in the county government, announced on March 6 that the Enterprise Association of Steamfitters Local 638 had endorsed her.

"[Curran] is the right candidate at the right time to be the next county executive," said Pat Dolan, president of Steamfitters Local 638. "Throughout her two terms in the legislature, Laura has consistently stood up for working men and women. She's taken the tough votes when it meant doing right by working families and she's been a vocal advocate for organized labor. Laura has stood with us whenever we needed her to, and that's why today, and throughout this campaign, we're standing with her.”

Curran has also been endorsed by State Senators Todd Kaminsky and John Brooks.

Assemblyman Charles Lavine, of Glen Cove, also announced on March 6 that he had been endorsed by former Long Island Congressmen Gary Ackerman and Steve Israel.

"[Lavine] has been a progressive champion in the New York State Assembly, and will continue to fight for our Democratic values as county executive,” said Ackerman. “I know that Chuck will work to end the corruption in Nassau County, because he believes Nassau County deserves better. Chuck is the best choice for Nassau families in this election.”

Israel said that he was endorsing Lavine because he had seen him “in action” over the years.

“When we represented the same communities, I was truly impressed by his tireless efforts to support our veterans and the environment, to fight for a strong middle class, as well as equal pay for equal work and reproductive rights for women,” he said. “As an assemblyman, Chuck is a great example of a somebody with character and integrity who is clearly in politics for the right reasons. But beyond that, he has also proven that he is the type of bold leader and problem solver that we need to bring progressive leadership to Nassau County.”

Lavine has also been endorsed by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Majority Leader Joe Morelle.

Also in the running for county executive is the county comptroller, George Maragos, who changed his party from Republican to Democrat late last year before announcing his run.

The state primary will be held on Sept. 12. The general election will be held on Nov. 7.