Thursday, October 1, 2026
With the November City Council elections on the horizon, Democrats and Republicans have announced their slates of candidates in what may prove to be a contentious race.
Republican-led coalition council incumbents Thomas Sofield Jr. and Mona Goodman will attempt to retain their seats — and edge out Democratic incumbent Len Torres — by running with Republican Marvin Weiss, who lost a City Council race two years ago.
Torres is teaming up with newcomer Scott Mandel, 37, an attorney and Long Beach resident, along with former Library Board Trustee Fran Adelson, who ran unsuccessfully for the council in 2009.
Two years ago, the Republicans retained a 3-2 majority when Councilman John McLaughlin collected the largest number of votes. Torres and Councilman Mike Fagen won two vacant spots left by Democrats Denise Tangney and Lenny Remo, who stepped down that year.
Adelson, Mandel and Torres — who is up for re-election following a two-year term — were chosen at the Democratic Nominating Convention on May 24 at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. And for the first time in six years, Long Beach Democratic Committee Chairman Mike Zapson said, the Democrats have nominated a candidate — School Board Trustee Darlene Tangney — to run against Nassau County Legislator Denise Ford. Zapson said that the Democratic slate plans to run a positive campaign and stay focused on issues ranging from greater fiscal responsibility to ending what Democrats describe as the “friends and family” culture in City Hall. “Once again we have three candidates, and none of their families work for City Hall,” Zapson said. “Len has done a great job of getting the entire community involved. [Scott] is a really smart guy, he understands the issues and has been involved in the community. [Fran] understands budgets and has done a lot to bring the library to the public. She would work just as hard on the council.”
