Before Harvey Weisenberg (D-Long Beach) won his sixth term as state assemblyman four years ago, he told The Herald that he doesn't campaign, because "if you do your job, you get elected."
With the November 7 election fast approaching, Mr. Weisenberg, who is being challenged this year by Republican Peter McDonald, is once again not campaigning for the 20th Assembly District seat in the legislature.
"I never consider campaigning as part of my job," said Mr. Weisenberg, whose large district encompasses Point Lookout, Lido Beach, Long Beach, Atlantic Beach, Lawrence, Cedarhurst, Inwood, Woodmere, North Woodmere, Hewlett, part of Lynbrook, East Rockaway and Oceanside. "People know me for what I do. Instead of spending thousands of dollars to tell people to elect me, I'd rather spend money on efforts that are worthwhile."
Mr. Weisenberg said he is most proud of his work for the mentally challenged, as well as his efforts for education, the environment, and crime and safety. He received a 90 percent voting record on the environment from NYPIRG, an environmental group. Mr. Weisenberg credits his success at getting bills passed to working on a bipartisan basis.
"I get a lot of bills signed into law," Mr. Weisenberg said. "The state budget has a lot of surplus. My value system says when you have a surplus, you should use it on the ones in need and education."
Mr. Weisenberg points to his record over 12 years in the Assembly as reason for residents to again select him as their representative.
Mr. Weisenberg was a teacher in the East Meadow school district for 20 years, and a Long Beach police officer for 10 years, before being elected in 1988.
"People should come out and vote," Mr. Weisenberg said. "But don't vote by party politics, vote for the people and what they stand for."
Mr. McDonald could not be reached by The Herald for this article.
