By Brian Zanzonico
Little more than a blip on the radar of the Nassau County political scene during election season, the battle for the 3rd Legislative District eventually shaped up as one that nearly picked up another crucial seat for Democrats in the county Legislature. When all was said and done, Ciotti, the Republican incumbent, was re-elected. But Mirza had an impressive showing, garnering 5,822 votes, or 47.2 percent - 1,392 more than Ciotti's Democratic opponent in 2003, Lawrence DeAngelis.
As an immigrant making his first foray into politics, the Pakistani-born Mirza praised American voters for their ability to look past ethnicity and religious beliefs and see "what a man really stands for."
But the campaign also left him with a bitter taste. Sign stealing during a campaign is one thing, Mirza said. Damage to personal property and harassment is another, and that is precisely what he said happened to him. "My car and home was vandalized," he said in an interview last week. "My campaign office was vandalized."
He also said he was told of drivers whose cars bore Mirza for Legislature stickers being cut off in traffic and cursed for supporting him. Some of his teen campaign workers were also derided. "They used profanities against these kids for working on my campaign," Mirza said. "Those are kids."
The swath he cut through Ciotti's supporters, coupled with his connection to County Executive Tom Suozzi - who appointed him to the Nassau County Minority Affairs Council and named him director of the Minority and Woman Business Enterprise Program of Nassau County - make Mirza a potentially strong candidate in 2007. But after an eight-month campaign, 2007 was the last thing on his mind. "It's too early for that," he said. "I haven't talked to my party about it; they haven't talked to me about it. I just appreciate the respect I got [in the election], and want to have a badly needed rest."
Regardless of what Mirza's future in politics holds, he vowed to not fade from the public eye. Through the organization he founded, Americans of Pakistani Heritage, he was able to bring Sustainable Long Island to the table to discuss revitalizing Elmont. A nonprofit, Sustainable teams with local and state governments to rebuild community economic centers. The organization helped deliver $80 million to New Cassel and Freeport, and is scheduled to meet with the Elmont East End Civic Club in the coming months.
"My campaign was all about talking about the issues, and that's not over," Mirza said. "I'm a part of this community, and my role will go on."
Comments about this story? Fseditor@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 240.
