In a close call, DeAngelis gets a slight nod in the 3rd

He continues to point to his record on the issues and his presence in the community as his strong suits as he seeks a fifth term as the county legislator in the Third District. Ciotti remains outspoken and defiant in the face of a strong challenge from Larry DeAngelis, a Franklin Square resident and labor negotiator running on the Democratic line.
      If the situation sounds familiar, it is: The two clashed in 2001 for the same seat, which Ciotti won by a smaller margin then he had ever received. It was considered a modest victory for DeAngelis, who is not a registered Democrat but rather a proud member of the Working Families Party, which he helped launch. This time around, the Democrats, encouraged by the district's shift and then-newcomer DeAngelis' strong showing the last time out, are aiming to claim the diverse district.
      While the debate between the two has been heated at times, DeAngelis has demonstrated political maturity and savvy in this race. At a recent candidates' night, he admitted that the process was new to him in 2001, and he says he has learned a lot since then. This time around he has been everywhere, talking to voters and getting a feel for what they expect of a county legislator. The confidence with which he answers questions on the issues is apparent and refreshing.
      Not to be outdone, Ciotti is making a push to re-establish himself in the community. He recently open a satellite office in Valley Stream, hoping to expand his presence at home. Ciotti is a good politician. He knows the ins and outs of the county's political landscape. While that is not always seen as such a good thing for voters concerned by the county's current woes, it has allowed him to have a strong say in Mineola. He continues to be a fighter, but the question DeAngelis has raised is intriguing: What is he fighting for?
      Ciotti has responded specifically to DeAngelis' attacks on his record as chairman of the finance committee in the final days of the Gulotta administration, saying the criticism is "stale" and "yesterday's news." Ciotti is, to a degree, correct: The fingers pointed squarely and almost solely on Gulotta when everything hit the fan. But this time out, DeAngelis is compensating for missing the particulars of the GOP's failure to rein Gulotta in, saying that Ciotti's constituents should have held him more responsible after the fall.
      Is this type of criticism from the challenger too little, too late? Perhaps. But DeAngelis' grasp of issues has also grown in the past two years. While he has latched on to the popular Republicans-are-obstructionists mantra chanted by many Democratic challengers, DeAngelis has wisely focused on the district itself, its changing nature and the problems that continue to plague it. His enthusiasm and desire to serve as legislator are evident, which is the sole reason why the Herald gives its endorsement to the candidate who would undoubtedly bring a unique and thoughtful voice to the table.
      The oft-heard accusation by Ciotti and other Republicans that more Democrats in the Legislature would provide Executive Tom Suozzi with a rubber stamp of approval is, thanks in part to the Nassau County Interim Finance Authority and the multitude of state oversights, further devalued in DeAngelis' case by the challenger's dedication to the Working Families Party. While the party has more in common with the Democrats, it has, under DeAngelis' watch, supported members of both parties who continue to fight for people who represent the backbone of the county's economy but who are having a hard time making a living in outrageously expensive Long Island. The list includes Democratic Representative Carolyn McCarthy and Republican Assemblyman Tom Alfano, who DeAngelis believes "truly gets what is going on" in places like Elmont, where 72 languages are spoken and education is seen as the key to the future.
      Two years ago, the Herald endorsed Ciotti primarily based on his experience. While he would, no doubt, continue to serve the Third District well if re-elected, DeAngelis' vitality and independence may be just what this very diverse corner of Nassau County needs in the future.
      The Third includes Elmont, North Valley Stream and South Floral Park and parts of Franklin Square and Valley Stream.