Mangano said he has helped secure $700,000 for first responders to get state-of-the-art equipment, and the county has purchased portable traffic lights and generators to keep the roads safe if there is ever another large-scale power outage.

During his eight years, Suozzi said he rescued Nassau County from the brink of bankruptcy, restored pride to the county with the renovations of the Theodore Roosevelt Executive Building, and professionalized the county’s operations.

He also said he got the discussion going about creating a new suburbia, and his model has since been followed in Suffolk. Suozzi says downtowns need to be redeveloped with high-density, affordable housing for young professionals. These downtown centers would expand the tax base, create jobs and keep people on Long Island, he said. “We must grow to be able to survive for the long term,” he said, adding that if elected, he would hold competitions every year to award Community Block Grant funds to communities that are willing to create these downtowns.

Four years ago, Suozzi said he was ahead in the polls and took the election for granted, which is why he believes he lost by such a close margin. During his eight years at the helm, he said he spent a lot of time in his office running the county, but not enough time getting out and meeting people. If he were to come back, Suozzi said he would spend more time working with residents, community leaders, civic groups, fire departments and other elected officials.

Mangano said he has built up many positive relationships at both the state and federal levels. He hopes that voters give him a chance to serve another four years. “I certainly love Nassau County. I love this job,” he said. “I want to continue the policies that we put forth. I believe I am uniquely qualified to continue running the county.”

Edward P. Mangano
Republican, Incumbent
Age: 51
Lives in: Bethpage
Political experience: Nassau County executive, 2010-present; Nassau County legislator, 17th District, 1996-2009
Career: County executive, attorney, newspaper publisher
Education: Bachelor’s and law degrees from Hofstra University; Bethpage High School
Family: Wife, Linda; sons Salvatore and
Alexander
Other: Past president of Bethpage-Plainview-Old Bethpage Rotary Club; served on Town of Oyster Bay Youth Advisory Board, the Board of directors for the Bethpage Chamber of Commerce, and a board member of Children’s House.
Endorsements: Nassau County Independence Party, Nassau County Conservative Party, Local 7 Carpenters, Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters, Plumbers Local Union 200, Italian American Political Action Committee, New York Veteran Police Association, International Union of Journeymen & Allied Trades

Thomas R. Suozzi
Democrat, Challenger
Age: 51
Lives in: Glen Cove
Political experience: Nassau County executive, 2002-09; Mayor, City of Glen Cove, 1994-2001
Career: Senior advisor, Lazard financial services; Attorney, Harris Beach law firm
Education: Juris doctorate, Fordham University School of Law; bachelor’s degree, Boston College School of Management; Chaminade High School
Family: Wife, Helene; children Caroline, Joseph and Michael
Other: Chairman of New York State Commission on Property Tax Relief under Gov. David Paterson; named a Public Official of the Year by Governing Magazine in 2005
Endorsements: New York League of Conservation Voters, Planned Parenthood, GLBT Democrats of Long Island, Long Island Federation of Labor, Corrections Officers, Nassau Community College Federation of Teachers, UFCW Local 1500, League of Humane Voters of New York State, Long Island Environmental Voters