Friday, October 2, 2026
Howard Kopel is a well-known face in Nassau County’s 7th Legislative District, in office since 2010 and serving as the Legislature’s deputy presiding officer since 2024, after Richard Nicolello retired.
“I’ve been getting a lot of nice things done for the district, and hopefully for the entire county,” Kopel told reporters during a Herald Roundtable session. “I’m hoping to continue that, as we’re supporting some good causes and keeping taxes from going up.”
Kopel, 72, a Lawrence resident for 38 years, is a self-described “reformed lawyer” who owns a title insurance company in Valley Stream. He has prioritized keeping taxes from rising, safety in Nassau County and building bipartisan relationships.
His legislative priorities this election cycle haven’t changed a great deal, and a main point of concern for him is affordability. He is critical of the county’s cost of living and aims to preserve the suburban quality of life.
“In my area, we have infrastructure that is over 100 years old,” he said, “(from) a time where nobody dreamed of having one car in every driveway, let alone four in some of them. We have gridlock in the neighborhood very often, and the state trying to force apartment houses into the area.”
Kopel said he is in favor of development, but not overdevelopment if the infrastructure can’t support it. “We don’t want to see that happen,” he said. “There’s not a lot of open spaces, and as it is you can barely move on Broadway.”
He noted one of the major construction projects that will likely lead to increased traffic volume in the Five Towns, the Woodmere Club. What was originally proposed as a 284-single-family-home plan has turned into the current iteration of 160 age-restricted condominiums in the portion of the property in the Village of Woodsburgh. The Town of Hempstead unanimously voted to reserve a decision on the Woodmere Club project at a public hearing on July 1.
“We don’t have a lot of capacity there,” Kopel said. “People moved out of Brooklyn and Queens — we don’t want to find ourselves back there.”
On affordable housing, he noted that the barriers to affordability are interest rates and supply and demand in many areas, while some areas can afford more housing and redevelopment. “You’ve got to put it where it’s wanted, where it’s feasible and makes sense,” Kopel said.
Asked about the uptick in antisemitism and other forms of hate in recent months, he praised the work of the Nassau County Police Department’s 4th Precinct, and said education helps eradicate antisemitism.
“Education is important, of course,” he added. “Maturity is important and police are important — the 4th Precinct are great people and very helpful. I think we’re doing well. You’re always going to have something; there will never be nothing.”
Regarding the old Five Towns Community Center, on Lawrence Avenue, Kopel said it was poorly run and was falling down and decrepit for many years. It is now being transformed into a community center by the Marion & Aaron Gural JCC with the Police Activity League and a consistent presence from the NCPD. Kopel helped push the initiative as a board member of the JCC.
“That is going to do wonderful things for that neighborhood,” Kopel said. “I think you’re going to see some tremendous improvement and some development in that area. It’s moving towards a good resolution with the county.”
Editors’ note: Democratic candidate Alec Fischthal did not respond to the Herald’s requests for an interview.
