Elections 2015

Kate Murray challenges Madeline Singas for Nassau District Attorney

Rice’s successor facing town supervisor for seat

Posted

The race for the Nassau County district attorney’s seat is the biggest one in the county this year.

Acting District Attorney Madeline Singas, a Democrat, is being challenged by Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray, a Republican. Singas has been in the D.A.’s seat sing January, when she was appointed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to fill the vacancy left after Kathleen Rice won a seat in Congress.

The race has been a charged one. Singas has been touting her years of prosecutorial experience as her main qualification. Murray says that the role requires more of a manager, and her years as town supervisor give her a wealth of experience for that.

The Herald asked the candidates questions to give the public an opportunity to see their stance on some of the most important issues in the race.

Herald: What will you do to fight Nassau’s growing heroin problem?

Singas: The heroin epidemic is national problem that unfortunately has made its way to Nassau County. Accordingly, to combat it, we must coordinate local, state and federal authorities. This past year, using these partnerships, my office dismantled both an international heroin pipeline and a regional distribution ring. Making these major cases against traffickers and choking off supply is paramount.

We also need to be smart on addiction, which destroys lives, families and communities. I committed forfeiture funds — seized criminal proceeds — to enable Nassau’s only medically monitored drug crisis center to remain open 24/7, closing the treatment gap from emergency room to rehabilitation. I also proposed legislation that would allow prosecutors to charge a dealer with homicide in the event of a customer overdose. By “reinvesting” dealers’ profits and upping their risk, I am attacking addiction from both sides.

Finally, to prevent heroin use, my office has conducted more than 250 workshops at local schools.

Page 1 / 5