County executives endorse King opponent

The Democrat running against Republican Congressman Peter King of Seaford, gained three more significant endorsements last week when both Democratic County Executives – Laura Curran and Steve Bellone – and an immigrant advocacy group, endorsed Liuba Grechen Shirley for the 2nd Congressional seat.

Make the Road Action, a 22,000-member grassroots organization representing immigrant and working-class communities in Long Island, New York City, and Westchester endorsed Grechen Shirley on July 20.

The County Executives announced their endorsements at a news conference on July 23 at Grechen Shirley’s “Liuba for Congress” campaign office on Old Sunrise Highway in Massapequa.

Grechen Shirley has had a groundswell of support from Democratic grassroots groups looking to unseat the 13-term Republican. Her campaign literature says she’s “running for Congress to provide affordable healthcare for all Long Islanders, fight for working families, and bring new leadership to Washington.”

“Liuba has generated the enthusiasm of the grassroots supporters,” Suffolk County Executive Bellone said. “This campaign is about change. If you don’t like the way things are going, you have to change the direction. You need people coming in with new ideas. The power of ideas … the power of passion… pushing for change that’s what this campaign demonstrates. That’s why I am very proud today to endorse Liuba Grechen Shirley.”

Nassau County Executive Curran said “the country is hungry for leaders that put residents first, before themselves. That’s what Liuba will do. That’s why I am proud to endorse Liuba Grechen Shirley.”

In a news release after the July 23 event, Grechen Shirley gave this statement, saying she was “deeply honored” to receive the county executives’ endorsements.

“County Executives Laura Curran and Steve Bellone are proven leaders on Long Island,’ she said. “Their tireless work on behalf of the working families of Nassau and Suffolk counties—pushing for lower property taxes, advocating for lower healthcare costs, and standing up for small businesses—is revitalizing Long Island.”