Cedarhurst’s David Lobl runs for Assembly

No stranger to politics Cedarhurst resident David Lobl, who previously lived in Far Rockaway, is the Democratic candidate running to replace Atlantic Beach resident Melissa “Missy” Miller in the 20th Assembly District.

Lobl’s opponent is fellow Cedarhurst resident Ari Brown, a longtime village trustee and the current deputy mayor. Miller is now representing the Third Councilmatic District on the Town of Hempstead board. She replaced fellow Republican Bruce Blakeman, now the Nassau County executive.

Lobl, 37, moved into Cedarhurst two years ago and is a government relations consultant with his own Cedarhurst-based firm Asher Strategies LLC. Previously he worked with Kasirer LLC, a top-rated government relations firm. In addition, Lobl was a special assistant to Gov. Andrew Cuomo from 2012 to 2018.

“I think essentially the only way to make a difference in our community is to be a Democrat in the Assembly,” he said. “Being a member of the majority you can accomplish your goals in the state Assembly.”

Saying that is philosophy is to work with “anyone and anybody,” Lobl aims to fix the bail reform law, support tougher measures for hate crimes, deliver as much Covid relief for businesses in the district and fight for equal funding for private schools. He has worked to have private schools receive more money for STEM( science, technology, engineering and math) education.

“If you are convicted of a violent crime you should be in jail, if you are convicted of a hate crime you should be in jail, if convicted of a crime with a firearm you should be in jail and if you are convicted of domestic abuse you should be in jail,” he said, “judges should have discretion.”

Lobl noted that a portion of people are still victims of Hurricane Sandy, many remain harmed by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and he aims to help them all. He supports suspension of the gas tax in Nassau County as well as statewide and will look to bring back money for local infrastructure noting the cracked sidewalks of his hometown village.

“David Lobl is committed to keeping us safe, committed to educating our children, and as a Democrat elected to the Democratically controlled Assembly, David unlike his opponent, will address our district’s needs,” Five Towns Democratic Club President Michael Turi wrote in an email.

Lobl and Brown have also had their scrapes. In 2016, Brown, along with five other members of the Town of Hempstead Industrial Development Agency, resigned after the seven-member board approved a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) for a Valley Stream business that raised residents taxes by hundreds of dollars to offset the tax break.

Brown noted that a state comptroller’s audit eventually supported the IDA’s due diligence. “The comptroller’s audit vindicated the IDA, while pointing out the shortcomings of a local taxing jurisdiction,” he said, referring to the school district.

Two years later, Lobl was identified as the person who approved what was considered an incendiary flier that suggested Cuomo’s primary election opponent, actress Cynthia Nixon was anti-Semitic and pro Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, the movement that stumps for colleges and governments to halt doing business with Israel.

Saying he was focused on this election, Lobl said, “no comment.”

Early voting begins March 28 and ends April 5. The Nassau County Board of Elections, 240 Old Country Road, Mineola; Long Beach City Hall, 1 West Chester Street, Long Beach; and Lawrence Yacht & Country Club, 101 Causeway, Lawrence are the early voting sites.