Thursday, October 22, 2026
With Election Day approaching, it's important to know who's on the ballot, what they represent and where they stand on the issues that are important to the local community. To learn more about each candidate, read our voter guide below.
For election results right after the polls close on Nov. 3, go to LIHerald.com.
Party affiliation: Democrat
Profession: Governor
Affordability and tax relief Hochul identifies lowering costs as a central priority. Her campaign points to inflation refund checks sent to more than 8 million New Yorkers, an expanded child tax credit and middle-class tax cuts as measures aimed at easing household expenses. She also cites universal free school meals as a way to help families save money.
Housing and child care Hochul supports building and preserving more affordable housing. Her campaign highlights her support for running mate Adrienne Adams’ City for All housing plan during Adams’ tenure as New York City Council speaker. The two also worked together to secure child care funding. Hochul says she is working toward universal child care to make it more accessible and affordable for New York families.
Public safety and schools Hochul emphasizes investments in community safety and cites gun safety legislation enacted during her administration. Her campaign also highlights her work with Adams on city and state gun-free zone laws. In schools, Hochul points to the ban on student cellphone use during school hours as another initiative enacted during her tenure.
Federal policies Hochul has made opposition to President Donald Trump’s policies a central part of her campaign. She says she will defend New Yorkers against federal actions she considers harmful and, alongside Adams, oppose what her campaign describes as “MAGA extremism.”
Party affiliation: Republican
Profession: Nassau County Executive
Affordability and tax relief Blakeman proposes eliminating state income tax on the first $50,000 of income for single filers and the first $100,000 for joint filers.
He also proposes doubling the state’s multibillion-dollar property tax rebate program. Blakeman says restructuring the state budget, using state reserves, could finance the tax cuts and redirecting taxpayer funds currently allocated to services for undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers.
Housing and childcare Blakeman aims to invest in schools and reduce the overall tax burden on residents. He looks to give families more disposable income as they contend with housing, childcare and other rising costs.
Public safety and schools Blakeman has pledged to increase support for police, expand counterterrorism funding for the NYPD and build or reopen state prisons. He also strongly opposes sanctuary state and city policies and supports greater cooperation with federal immigration authorities to deport undocumented immigrants with criminal records.
He supports restricting biological males from competing in female school sports categories.
Federal policies Blakeman has made opposition to New York’s sanctuary policies and the state’s spending on services for migrants and asylum seekers a central part of his campaign.
He supports working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to remove undocumented immigrants with criminal records and redirecting state resources currently used for migrant services. His campaign also emphasizes closer cooperation between state and federal authorities on immigration and public safety.
Party affiliation: Democrat
Profession: Politician
Affordability and taxes Halpin criticized tariffs and federal tax policies that he said drive up costs for consumers and disproportionately affect New York taxpayers. He supports federal assistance to help families manage rising expenses.
Healthcare Warning that Medicaid cuts and the expiration of Affordable Care Act subsidies could make coverage less affordable, Halpin noted that this would place additional pressure on hospitals and community health centers. He supports federal funding for healthcare, heating bills and food assistance.
Energy and development Halpin called for modernizing Long Island’s aging power infrastructure and considering a range of energy sources, including Canadian hydropower and offshore wind. He opposes large-scale projects, including a proposed Amazon warehouse in Holbrook and a potential AI data center, citing traffic, infrastructure strain and corporate tax breaks.
Housing and bipartisanship Supporting the conversion of underused shopping centers into housing for young adults and seniors, Halpin said he would build on his past work promoting workforce housing in Suffolk County. He also called for greater bipartisan cooperation in Washington, arguing that lawmakers should prioritize governing over political disputes.
Party affiliation: Republican
Profession: Congressman
Long Island economy Garbarino says he supports lowering taxes, reducing regulations and helping small businesses create jobs. He cites his role in increasing the State and Local Tax deduction from $10,000 to $40,000 and preserving the Pass-Through Entity Tax deduction.
Energy and environment Garbarino cites efforts to preserve clean-energy tax incentives for nuclear, hydropower, geothermal and energy storage, along with millions of dollars secured for sewer infrastructure, coastal resiliency, flood mitigation and water quality projects across Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Border security Saying border security, immigration enforcement and combating fentanyl trafficking and transnational criminal organizations as priorities, Garbarino noted his work as House Homeland Security Committee chairman, including legislation requiring a federal strategy to address criminal organizations operating across U.S. borders. His POLICE Act, which would make assaults on law enforcement officers and other first responders deportable offenses, passed the House.
Supporting law enforcement Garbarino says he opposes defunding the police and supports providing law enforcement officers and first responders with resources to protect communities. He cited the $140 million in federal counterterrorism and emergency preparedness funding for New York, including $1.8 million for Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Party affiliation: Republican
Profession: County legislator, educator
Protecting young people and supporting recreation Kennedy points to raising the minimum age for purchasing vaping and tobacco products in Nassau County as one of his proudest accomplishments. Protecting young people has been a focus of his work, along with supporting opportunities for them to participate in community activities. More recently, he helped secure funding for the new Massapequa Police Athletic League facility on Parkside Boulevard, supporting a local resource for recreation and youth programs. “It’s a great thing for so many people,” Kennedy said.
Supporting citizenship opportunities and border security Kennedy, whose parents immigrated from Ireland, said he supports opportunities for immigrants to become citizens but has concerns about border security. He sees a need to balance those opportunities with controls over entry into the country. “I feel that there has to be some kind of control over that,” he said.
Planning carefully for property reassessments Kennedy said property assessments require careful consideration, particularly before undertaking another major reassessment. Asked about the prospect of a new reassessment, he said extensive planning would be necessary, citing difficulties with the previous process.“When it was done last time, everything didn’t go so smoothly,” he said.
Remaining accessible to district residents Despite more than a decade in office, Kennedy said he has no ambitions beyond serving in the Legislature. He pointed to the relationships he has developed throughout the district and residents’ willingness to approach him as meaningful parts of his work. “I really love what I do, working for the people of my district as a legislator,” he said. “I feel that everywhere I go in the district, I know the people, and people feel free to approach me.”
Democrat candidate Christine Barlow has not responded to request for an interview and did not come in for a roundtable.
Party affiliation: Democrat
Profession: Supply chain analyst
RepresentationHoyle said many North Shore communities feel overlooked by town officials, citing concerns including mail delivery problems in Glenwood Landing, infrastructure issues and rising utility costs. He believes the town supervisor should serve as an advocate for residents even when problems fall outside the town’s direct authority. Hoyle said elected officials should use their positions to amplify residents’ concerns and work with officials at other levels of government to find solutions. He also called for greater cooperation across party lines, arguing that local problems should take priority over political differences.
Affordability and housingHoyle said rising costs are making it increasingly difficult for residents to remain in the Town of Oyster Bay, pointing to higher beach and parking pass fees, water bills and utility expenses. He also expressed concern that younger residents are being priced out of the communities where they grew up. Hoyle supports expanding affordable housing opportunities for young people and said existing programs have not done enough to help them establish roots on Long Island. He also wants town officials to advocate for lower utility costs and carefully consider how development and energy projects could affect household expenses.
Environmental protection and water qualityHoyle identified clean and affordable drinking water as one of his highest priorities, citing concerns about contamination from former industrial sites, leaking oil tankers and the long-term sustainability of Long Island’s aquifers. He said officials should take a more aggressive approach to investigating potential pollution rather than delaying action over concerns about the cost or speed of development. Hoyle also questioned whether the town is doing enough to protect local waterways and groundwater from contamination and overuse. He argued that addressing pollution early could help avoid more expensive cleanup efforts and protect residents’ health.
Energy projects Hoyle said residents deserve greater assurances about the environmental and safety impacts of major energy projects. Regarding the proposed Propel NY Energy transmission project, he raised concerns about cable burial depth, construction impacts and potential effects on local waterways and shellfish. He also questioned whether communities that already face high utility bills and infrastructure challenges are being asked to accept additional burdens without sufficient evidence that the project will be safe.
Party affiliation: Republican
Profession: Politician
Environmental protection Saladino identified environmental protection as one of his top priorities, highlighting the town’s shellfish restoration program and efforts to clean up the Northrup Grumman Navy plume. He said the town is building a second, larger shellfish hatchery at TOBAY Beach, with the goal of reintroducing 60 million clams and oysters annually into North Shore and South Shore waters.
Redevelopment and housing Saladino supports redeveloping existing properties to provide housing, businesses and other amenities while preserving the town’s suburban character. He cited downtown Hicksville as a model, pointing to plans for about 500 housing units alongside stores, shops and restaurants. He said the town’s approach brought together residents, business owners, school officials, fire departments and civic associations to shape redevelopment plans.
Affordability and taxes Saladino said affordability depends on controlling property taxes, reducing municipal expenses and challenging state mandates that shift costs to local governments. He said the town had moved from a $44 million deficit when he took office to a $100 million surplus without raising taxes. He also cited municipal consolidations and the replacement of traditional streetlights with LED lighting as ways to reduce expenses.
Infrastructure and energy projects Saladino said the town should carefully evaluate major infrastructure and energy proposals for their environmental, safety and financial effects on residents. Regarding the proposed Propel NY Energy transmission project, he said the town has consulted environmental, engineering and legal experts and sought changes including deeper cable burial, restrictions on construction hours and the use of local union labor.
Party affiliation: Democrat
Profession: Civil engineer, specializing in transportation infrastructure
Improving efficiency Shreya Gupta says she wants to improve efficiency and make the office easier for residents to navigate. Gupta, a Bethpage resident, graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering and works for an international engineering firm specializing in transportation infrastructure. The town clerk serves as custodian of town records and handles services including Freedom of Information Law requests, licenses and permits.
Quality-of-life issues Gupta said concerns about local infrastructure and residents’ quality of life helped spark her interest in public service. She pointed to deteriorating town roads and potholes as everyday problems that affect residents, while acknowledging that infrastructure issues fall outside the Town Clerk’s responsibilities.
Streamlining operations a goal Gupta said she would build on the knowledge and experience of existing Town Clerk’s Office staff while seeking ways to make services more efficient, particularly the processing of Freedom of Information Law requests and permits. She said her priority would be to simplify government procedures and improve residents’ interactions with town services.
Engineering background an asset Gupta said her career as a structural engineer has taught her to think critically, analyze problems and consider how decisions affect residents’ well-being. She said she would apply that approach as Town Clerk, viewing the position as an entry point into public service and an opportunity to grow professionally before moving on to greater responsibilities.
Party affiliation: Republican
Profession: Town clerk, financial services
Expanded online services Republican Richard LaMarca is seeking re-election as Oyster Bay town clerk, pointing to the modernization of the office and expanded online services as accomplishments he hopes to build on. LaMarca, a lifelong Oyster Bay resident, graduated from Oyster Bay High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Villanova University. He worked in financial services before entering the public sector in 2012 as the town’s director of labor management. He was elected town clerk in 2019.
Helping residents LaMarca said serving residents through the Town Clerk’s Office has been personally fulfilling, allowing him to help individuals and support local communities. The coronavirus pandemic accelerated his efforts to expand remote access to clerk services, and he has since overseen the digitization of vital records, including marriage licenses and death certificates. He said he continues to work toward making licensing and permitting processes available online to improve convenience and accessibility for residents.
Supports creation of town museum He is also working to convert a town-owned building on Spring Street into a museum displaying historic town documents and artifacts. LaMarca said he expects the clerk’s office’s 2027 budget to come in slightly below its 2026 budget of $1.752 million as longtime employees retire and replacements begin at lower salaries.
Access is vital As he seeks another term, LaMarca said he would continue to focus on making town services more accessible, preserving public records and helping residents navigate problems. He said the most rewarding part of the job is knowing that his assistance has made a meaningful difference in someone’s day.
Party affiliation: Democrat
Profession: Assistant store manager
Addressing Long Island’s cost of living Walis’ campaign says the cost of living on Long Island, particularly housing and property taxes, is a central concern. His website says a lack of affordable housing is making it difficult for younger people to remain on Long Island while older homeowners struggle with rising property taxes.
Expanding access to affordable housing Walis also identifies affordable housing as a priority, particularly for younger residents seeking to establish themselves on Long Island. His campaign says rising housing costs are making it increasingly difficult for younger generations to remain in the communities where they grew up.
Protecting Long Island’s environment Environmental preservation is another priority. Walis’ website identifies protecting groundwater from toxic plumes, maintaining parks and preserves and addressing toxic algal blooms in South Shore waters among his concerns.
Advocating for civil rights protections Walis supports protections for immigrant communities affected by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions and transgender youths facing restrictions imposed by local school boards and elected officials, according to his campaign website. His campaign also highlights community outreach, including hosting a town hall and participating in local demonstrations.
Party affiliation: Republican
Profession: Politician
Passage of Connor’s Law a priority Durso, of Massapequa Park, said one of his priorities is passage of Connor’s Law, named for Connor Kasin, a 17-year-old Massapequa High School hockey player who collapsed and died during a game in 2024. The bill would require cardiac screenings for student athletes. “After Connor’s passing, I came up with the idea for this bill to ensure that student athletes can participate in sports safely and with peace of mind,” Durso said. “Heart screenings are important tools used to detect potentially underlying conditions that may put a child at risk and should be required in order to participate in school sports.” Durso, a Massapequa High School graduate who attended Nassau BOCES’ Barry Tech program, began his career in sanitation and describes himself as a “Labor Republican.” Now completing his third Assembly term, he is the ranking member of the Labor Committee.
Seeks to expand technical education Durso also wants to expand technical education in public schools. “I want to change the mindset that working with one’s hands is a dirty job and beneath people,” he said.
Opposes Medical Aid in Dying Act Durso voted against the Medical Aid in Dying Act, which would allow eligible terminally ill adults to request medication to end their lives.
Supports cooperation on immigration enforcement Durso has criticized restrictions on cooperation between local police and federal immigration authorities, opposing policies that limit communication between the two. “New York is great at being first, but terrible about doing things right,” he said.
Mikulin seeks re-election in 17th District Republican Assemblyman John Mikulin, in office since 2018, is seeking re-election in the 17th Assembly District. His Democratic opponent, Sunita Lofters, declined to be interviewed. Mikulin, 38, of Bethpage, represents a district that includes Massapequa, North Massapequa, Plainedge, South Farmingdale, Levittown and East Meadow. An attorney, he previously served as deputy attorney for the Town of Hempstead before winning a special election to the Assembly.
Advocate for stricter penalties for criminals Mikulin said one of his priorities is advocating for stricter penalties for criminals, particularly those convicted of violent crimes. He has criticized the state’s criminal justice and bail reforms as “a disaster” and sponsors legislation that would mandate life without parole for anyone convicted of murdering a child. “We need to make sure that our people are safe,” he said. “The No. 1 priority of government is to make sure that people are safe, and right now we are failing to do that.”
Opposes Medical Assistance in Dying Act Mikulin also voted against the state’s Medical Assistance in Dying Act and opposes restrictions on cooperation between local police and federal immigration authorities.
Mikulin advocates for transparency He has also criticized the Democratic Assembly majority for including unrelated legislation in the state budget. “The budget bill should be a clean bill involving only our finances,” he said. Mikulin said constituent services remain an important part of his job. “If you call my office, you may not always get the answer that you want,” he said, “but we work to help out each and every individual, no matter who you are and what the problem is.”
Democrat candidate Sunita Lofters has not responded to request for an interview.
Party affiliation: Democrat
Profession: Store manager, BYLT
Working-class representation Taveras said his background gives him an understanding of the financial challenges facing Long Islanders. “We need someone who actually knows the struggles that Long Islanders have endured, working full-time and paycheck to paycheck,” he said.
Housing affordability Taveras cited housing costs and property taxes as concerns for younger residents and seniors. “What are we doing if we’re pricing out the next generation?” he said. He supports assistance for first-time homebuyers and allowing homeowners to legally rent portions of their properties.
Public education Taveras supports universal pre-K and opposes charter schools, which he believes divert funding from public schools. “I think we need to protect the education system as a whole here and make the system so strong that the other states want to copy it as well,” Taveras said.
Health care Taveras supports expanding health care access and stricter enforcement of nurse-to-patient ratios. He emphasized finding long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes. “I’m always thinking ahead,” Taveras said. “They just want to fill a pothole, but we need to take off the whole road and lay a completely new one.”
Party affiliation: Republican
Profession: State assemblyman
Mental health care Gandolfo said expanding mental health care is a priority. He pointed to funding secured for the Bayport-Blue Point School District’s Student Wellness Center. “It’s an issue that has been neglected, I think, for a long time,” he said. “Anything we can do to increase access to mental health care is a positive step.
Affordability and child care A father of two, Gandolfo has introduced legislation addressing child care costs. He said his family once paid more than $3,000 per month for daycare, highlighting the financial challenges facing Long Island families.
Wastewater infrastructure Gandolfo supports expanding wastewater infrastructure to protect Long Island’s environment and aquifer. “We have to understand that if we harm our aquifer, the costs will not only be financial, but it will affect public health,” he said.
Constituent engagement Gandolfo said constituent engagement would remain important if elected to the State Senate. He emphasized the importance of remaining accessible to residents and maintaining a presence throughout the district. “Showing up is important,” he said.
