Jackie Gordon for Congress in the 2nd C.D.

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The Herald endorses Jackie Gordon to represent New York’s 2nd Congressional District.

Assemblyman Andrew Garbarino, a Sayville Republican attorney, and Gordon, a Babylon Democrat, retired Army lieutenant colonel, former Town of Babylon councilwoman and school guidance counselor, are both experienced public servants. Both seek to succeed Rep. Pete King, a Nassau County political icon, who is retiring after his 14th term in Congress. After listening to the candidates and weighing their experience and stands on the issues affecting the district, we believe Jackie Gordon is the better choice.

In a year when law and order issues are again front and center, no one can responsibly argue that Gordon, 55, is in any way soft on crime, as Garbarino has done. As a 27-year veteran military police officer, Gordon served combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. But like many of his Republican colleagues, Garbarino prefers to focus on the fear factor, raising the specter of non-existent bogeymen, rather than addressing many of the significant issues now confronting Long Islanders.

Nassau and Suffolk counties have some of the highest numbers of Covid-19 cases per capita in the state. As a result, unemployment continues to rise and small businesses continue to close. Many may never reopen.

Gordon has put forth a vision for Long Island that addresses these issues, while beginning to rebuild the district’s economy. Her proposal to create a supply chain of medical equipment and personal protective gear right here on Long Island, rather than continuing to purchase such equipment abroad, is just one of the kinds of solutions that the district needs.

And Gordon’s nearly 30-year background in education could be crucial during the coronavirus pandemic, when school districts must find creative and innovative ways of maintaining high standards for our children in an environment that is economically and academically challenging.

Garbarino, 36, is an impressive candidate. Elected to the State Assembly at 29, the four-term legislator is articulate, thoughtful and knowledgeable on the issues. He has sought to cast himself as the natural successor to King, who has given a lifetime to Nassau County. The Herald thanks King sincerely for his many years of service.

But while King sees himself as a champion of bipartisanship, working with colleagues like Glen Cove Democrat Tom Suozzi on ssues like the SALT deduction, he also has an 86.2 percent record of voting in support of President Donald Trump, according to FiveThirtyEight, an organization that tracks the voting records of members of Congress. He has been one of the president’s staunchest and most partisan advocates in the House.

The partisan divisiveness that Trump embodies is tearing our country apart. This past summer saw Congress again gridlocked as the two parties wrangled over providing desperately needed support for those who lost their livelihoods as a result of the coronavirus.

Gordon’s broader vision and experience and her lifetime of commitment to service make her better poised than Garbarino to help our district and our country recover and move forward.

Jackie Gordon has earned the Herald-Citizen’s endorsement.