Election Day and The Great South Bay

Election Day takes place this year on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Voters across the United States of America will head to the polls to elect our next president. These voters will not only be voting for the office of president but also for various other federal, state, and local offices and ballot initiatives.

Voters in our area will have the chance to vote for candidates to represent us in the US Senate, US House of Representatives, New York State Senate, and New York State Assembly as well as for a significant ballot measure. Unfortunately, the media and the public often overlook these important down-ballot races compared to the presidential race. You can learn about the candidates competing in these races around the Great South Bay this Election Day. Unless otherwise stated, biographical information on the candidates is sourced from their campaign or official office websites.

You must register to participate in the upcoming election if you still need to register as a voter. As a New York resident, you have until Saturday, October 26, 2024, to register and can do so in person, by mail, or online.

Visit elections.ny.gov/voter-registration-process to learn more, or telephone 1-800-FOR-VOTE .

Information about Early Voting can be found by visiting the Suffolk County Board of Elections at https://suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/BOE

Proposal #1, Equal Rights Amendment Ballot Measure

In addition to the presidential, congressional, and state legislative elections, New Yorkers will also get the chance to vote on a ballot measure to amend Article 1, Section 11 of the New York State Constitution to expand anti-discrimination protections. If New York voters pass the ballot proposal the state constitution will be amended to add protections against “unequal treatment based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, and pregnancy outcomes, as well as reproductive healthcare and autonomy.” Currently the state constitution only bans “unequal treatment based on race, color, creed, and religion” but this will be expanded if the ballot measure is passed. The ballot measure is also designed to enshrine abortion and LGBTQ+ rights in the state constitution.

Proposal#2, Clean Water

This Suffolk County-wide proposal would create a dedicated fund, financed by an 1/8 penny increase to the county sales tax. The funding could only be used to improve water quality in Suffolk County by modernizing wastewater infrastructure; it would expand sewers and provide tax-free grants to homeowners to replace polluting septic systems with clean water technology. The local fund would unlock federal and state clean water funding.

US Senate Election

One of New York’s two senate seats will be filled on Election Day. The results of this election will impact the partisan balance of the US Senate and the resulting course of federal policy-making starting in 2025. Three candidates are competing in the 2024 election to represent New York in the US Senate: incumbent Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand, Republican Mike Sapraicone, and third-party candidate Diane Sare.

Kirsten Gillibrand (Democrat / Working Families Party)

Candidate Background: Kirsten Gillibrand is the Democratic incumbent and has been serving in this seat since she was appointed in 2009 to fill a vacancy left by Hillary Clinton. Gillibrand won reelection in 2010, 2012, and 2018, most recently winning with 67% of the vote according to Ballotpedia. Gillibrand previously served in the House from 2007 to 2009. She lives in her hometown of Albany, New York with her husband, two sons, and labradoodle.
On the Issues: Gillibrand’s official bio highlights her role in securing healthcare funding for 9/11 first responders and victims and in repealing the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that banned openly LGBTQ+ people from the military. Her website describes her policy priorities as “ensuring that every New Yorker has access to good jobs, affordable healthcare, and educational opportunities.” It also highlights issues like the environment, protecting veterans, universal pre-k, national security, rural broadband access, drug costs, protecting Social Security and Medicare, gun safety, worker’s rights, and immigration.

Mike Sapraicone (Republican / Conservative Party)

Candidate Background: Republican challenger Mike Sapraicone describes himself on his campaign website as “a retired New York Police Department (NYPD) Detective, community volunteer, small business founder, and nationally-recognized security expert.” He served in the NYPD for 20 years, founded the private security firm Squad Security upon retirement, and served as president of the Seaford Union Free School District Board of Education. Sapraicone lives in Oyster Bay with his wife and is the father of five children and five grandchildren.
On the Issues: Sapraicone campaign website lists five priority issue areas: public safety, border security, affordability, quality of life, and integrity in government. He highlights the security policy promises of fully funding law enforcement, ending cashless bail, and securing the border to prevent undocumented immigration and fentanyl smuggling. He also pledges to restore the SALT local tax deduction, block congestion pricing, invest in public schools and hospitals, and defend Social Security and Medicare. Sapraicone also endorses congressional term limits.

Diane Sare (LaRouche Party)

Candidate Background: Third-party candidate Diane Sare entered politics while she was a student when she connected with organizers for fringe political activist Lyndon LaRouche’s 1988 Presidential Campaign including her future husband. She became heavily invested in LaRouche’s unique, idiosyncratic, controversial, and conspiratorial brand of politics. Sare unsuccessfully ran in the Democratic primary of New Jersey’s 5th Congressional District (NJ-5) in 2012 and 2014 on a platform of impeaching President Obama. She also unsuccessfully ran for New Jersey governor in 2013 and against New York Senator Chuck Schumer in 2022. Currently, she resides in Rockland County, NY.
On the Issues: Sare’s positions are varied and idiosyncratic. According to her campaign website and a Ballotpedia questionnaire, she vehemently opposes aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Instead, she endorses Russian President Vladimir Putin’s plan for ending the war as necessary for preventing nuclear war. She calls for ending inflation, reinstating the Glass-Steagall Act, the abolition of the Federal Reserve, voter ID laws, limitations on absentee ballots, and making Election Day a holiday. She is also a proponent of colonizing Mars and reinvestigating the 9/11 attacks.

New York’s Second Congressional District (NY-2) Election

The outcomes of Long Island’s four house races are expected to play an outsized role in determining partisan control of the House of Representatives. While the race in New York’s Second Congressional District (NY-2) is not expected to be as close as races elsewhere on Long Island its result is an important part of that regional and national context. Two candidates are running to represent the district, Republican incumbent Andrew Garbarino and Democratic challenger Rob Lubin.

Andrew Garbarino (Republican / Conservative Party)

Candidate Background: Republican incumbent Andrew Garbarino was born in Sayville and is a lifelong Long Islander who has been serving in this seat since 2021. Before his time in Congress, he served as a New York Assemblyman representing the 7th district for four terms from 2013 to 2020. He describes himself as a proud member of the Sayville Rotary Club and Knights of Columbus.
On the Issues: Garbarino touts his commitment to “increase state funding for Long Island school districts, protect our island’s environment including the Great South Bay, oppose tax hikes, and support our local heroes in law enforcement” on his office’s website. Garbarino’s office website also includes detailed explanations of his statements, positions, and bills on 16 different policy areas, including border security, China, the economy, education, the environment, guns, taxes, the opioid epidemic, and more. A few of his specific policies include improving water pollution reduction subsidies, supporting the restoration of the SALT local tax deduction, and funding State Opioid Response Grants.

Rob Lubin (Democrat / Working Families Party)

Candidate Background: Democratic challenger Rob Lubin describes himself on his campaign website as a native New Yorker, small business owner, entrepreneur, and son of an immigrant. Lubin’s website highlights that he founded an “industry-leading online marketplace” and his struggles with the healthcare system after being diagnosed in 2018 with a disorder that blinded him in one eye. He does not mention holding any elected positions or previous runs for public office on his campaign website and appears to be a first-time candidate.
On the Issues: Lubin’s campaign website says that he is running for Congress to fight “to build a stronger economy for working families, end the gun violence epidemic, improve our water quality, look after our seniors, lower healthcare costs, defend a woman’s right to choose, cut red tape for small businesses, and keep Long Island families safe.” Lubin also seeks to raise taxes on large corporations, reinstate the SALT local tax deduction, make Affordable Care Act subsidies permanent, cap prescription drug prices, and strengthen gun laws. He also wants to invest in community health centers, water infrastructure, renewable energy, mental health care, and law enforcement.

New York State Legislative Elections

Voters around the Great South Bay and Long Island will also have the chance to vote for whom they want to represent them in the New York State Senate and Assembly. If you do not know what New York State Senate and Assembly districts you live in Ballotpedia’s online sample ballot tool is a good resource for looking up that information.

New York State Senate District 8 Election

Alexis Weik (Republican / Conservative Party)

Candidate Background: Alexis Weik is the Republican incumbent in New York State Senate District 8. She was originally elected to the state senate in 2020 to represent District 3 and was reelected to represent District 8 in 2022. She is a lifelong Suffolk County resident who currently resides in Sayville with her husband and has three children. Her husband and oldest son are both sworn police officers. Before her time in the state senate, Weik was the Receiver of Taxes for the Town of Islip from 2011 to 2020. She is also a former small business owner.
On the Issues: Weik’s campaign website highlights three core values: supporting law enforcement, reducing taxes, and returning to normalcy after the pandemic. Specifically, Weik supports repealing the recent cashless bail law, cutting the gas tax, reducing property taxes on the middle class, restoring property tax rebates, and reopening schools and businesses for a post-pandemic world. Weik’s senate website also lists 11 2024 bills including bills to repeal a law that seals certain criminal convictions, roll back school vaccine requirements, and exempt four area school districts from regulations prohibiting the use of indigenous mascots.

Francis Dolan (Democrat)

Candidate Background: Francis Dolan advanced from the 2024 Democratic Primary for NY Senate District 8 after running unopposed according to USA Today reporting. Dolan does not appear to have a campaign website or web presence and is likely not actively campaigning.
On the Issues: Dolan’s policy preferences and positions are unclear because he does not appear to have a campaign website or any web presence.

New York State Senate District 3 Election

Dean Murray (Republican / Conservative Party)

Candidate Background: Republican incumbent Dean Murray was elected to represent New York State Senate District 3 in 2022. Before entering politics, Murray had a long career in broadcasting that culminated in 1997 with the founding of his advertising firm D & S Advertising, Inc. Murray also served seven non-contiguous years as assemblyman for New York State Assembly District 3. Murray lives in East Patchogue with his two dogs.
On the Issues: Murray wrote on a Ballotpedia survey that his priorities are reversing what he sees as “pro-criminal” policies like cashless bail, making New York affordable by attacking “out of control spending,” and fostering a friendly business climate. Murray’s campaign website also asserts that in the state senate he “has led the charge to ensure that Long Island gets its fair share of funding for public education while also being a strong voice for parental rights, economic growth, and keeping our environment clean and healthy.” His senate website highlights bills to establish “criminal concealment of identity” as a crime, allow legislators to revoke tax-exempt status from private universities under certain circumstances, regulate high school football training, and more.

Michael Conroy (Democrat)

Candidate Background: Democratic challenger Michael Conroy advanced from the New York State Senate District 3 Democratic Primary after running unopposed according to USA Today. Conroy does not appear to have a campaign website and is likely notactively campaigning. However, a post on the website of the Suffolk County Democrats from a previous election cycle sheds light on Conroy’s background. The post says he was an executive board member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and served on various Democratic political committees. The post also implies Conroy ran to represent New York State Senate District 1 sometime during the Cuomo administration and that he lived in Manorville with his wife and two daughters at that time. Ballotpedia also says he was a candidate for District 2 of the New York State Assembly in 2016.
On the Issues: Conroy does not appear to have an active campaign website so his current policy positions are unclear. However, the post from the Suffolk County Democrats does say that he would “look to protect workers and help create more good paying jobs with benefits.”

New York State Senate District 4 Election

Monica Martinez (Democrat / Working Families Party)

Candidate Background: Democratic incumbent Monica Martinez immigrated to the US at the age of three, and was elected to her current seat representing NY State Senate District 4 in 2021. Previously, Martinez was elected to represent NY State Senate District 3 in 2018. This victory made her the first woman to represent that district and the first Salvadoran woman elected in New York State. Before entering politics she served as Assistant Principal for Brentwood’s East Middle School. She also served for five years in the Suffolk County Legislature.
On the Issues: Martinez’s senate website touts legislation she supported to establish a permanent 2% Property Tax Cap, increase funding for Long Island public schools, increase gun safety, support seniors and veterans, fight climate change, and help law enforcement. Martinez’s campaign website also cites legislation she supported to increase access to mammograms, mandate fingerprint checks for workers who perform services on school property, ban the sale of animals through puppy mills, and protect marine mammals, among other topics.

Dr. Teresa Bryant (Republican / Conservative Party)

Candidate Background: Republican challenger Dr. Teresa Bryant is a registered nurse with a doctoral degree in psychology pursuing elected office for the first time. Bryant’s campaign website says that before running for office, she served as a Medical Services Specialist for Suffolk County’s Department of Social Services. Bryant is also the Executive Board Treasurer of the Central Islip Civic Council, 1st Treasurer of the Central Islip Islandia Rotary Club, and a member of the Rotary Club of Islip and the Islip Town Branch of the NAACP. Bryant also owns a daycare in Central Islip and is involved with several Central Islip School District boards. Bryant is also a mother and grandmother.
On the Issues: Bryant’s campaign website describes her vision for District 4 as “focusing on enhancing quality of life, addressing mental health and homelessness, supporting law enforcement and small businesses, advocating for educational support, and bolstering community safety and infrastructure.” Her website additionally highlights public safety, affordable housing, environmental protection, and immigration reform as other areas to focus on.

New York State Assembly District 7 Election

Jarett Gandolfo (Republican / Conservative Party)

Candidate Background: Republican incumbent Jarett Gandolfo was elected to represent District 7 in the New York State Assembly on November 3, 2020, and was reelected in 2022. Before being elected to the assembly himself Gandolfo served as Andrew Garbarino’s chief of staff when he was an assemblyman. Gandolfo also serves on the Board of Directors of the Islip Community Development Agency, a group that helps local families purchase homes, cleans up neighborhoods, and funds local nonprofits. He lives with his wife in Sayville.
On the Issues: Gandolfo’s official state senate biography states that he “will work to advance policies that strengthen the local economy, help businesses, and support law enforcement.” The biography also says that he will seek to repeal cashless bail. Gandolfo’s campaign website also says he “places a high priority on environmental protections, supporting the Clean Water Infrastructure Act, wetland protections, and open space preservation.” The website also highlights his support for the Homeowner Tax Rebate Check program, middle-class tax cuts, and various local infrastructure projects as well as his opposition to Governor Hochul’s housing plan.

Garrett Peterson (Democrat)

Candidate Background: Garrett Peterson advanced from the 2024 Democratic Primary for NY Assembly District 7 after running unopposed, according to Ballotpedia. Peterson does not appear to have a campaign website or campaign web presence and is likely not actively campaigning.
On the Issues: Peterson’s policy preferences are unclear because he does not appear to have a campaign website or any web presence for his campaign.

New York State Assembly District 3 Election

Joe DeStefano (Republican / Conservative Party)

Candidate Background: Republican incumbent Joe DeStefano was first elected to the New York State Assembly in 2018 and was reelected in 2020, and 2022. According to his official biography, DeStefano has volunteered with the Medford Fire Department since 1980 and served as fire district commissioner for the past 28 years. He has also served the Medford Volunteer Ambulance for the last 39 years and has also held various other positions related to firefighting and public safety throughout his career. DeStefano and his wife have two children and one grandchild.
On the Issues: DeStefano official bio says he will fight for “preserving the property tax cap while pushing Albany to curb spending.” It also describes him as “a proud supporter of fire services, law enforcement, and our military.” His campaign website highlights policies like “cutting taxes, government spending, and regulations,” reducing inflation, fighting crime, stopping illegal immigration, and ending the scourge of fentanyl. Additionally, DeStefano pledges to make sure Long Island public schools are funded, to undue criminal justice reforms that make communities less safe, and to resist plans to expand multi-family housing against the wishes of local officials. The website also mentions that he sponsored a bill to “end late-term abortion.”

Trina Miles (Democrat)

Candidate Background: Trina Miles advanced from the 2024 Democratic Primary for NY Assembly District 3 after running unopposed, according to Ballotpedia. Miles does not appear to have a campaign website or web presence and is likely not actively campaigning. According to Newsday reporting from 2022, Miles is a member of the Suffolk County Democratic Committee from Mastic. Miles was also listed on the ballot alongside DeStefano in 2022, and Ballotpedia reports she received 36.2% of the vote even though, according to Newsday, she was “not engaging in any campaigning.”
On the Issues: Miles’ policy positions are unclear because she does not appear to have a campaign website or any web presence for her campaign.

New York State Assembly District 9 Election

Michael Durso (Republican / Conservative Party)

Candidate Background: Republican incumbent Michael Durso was elected to represent the New York State Assembly District 9 on November 3, 2020, and won reelection in 2022. Before entering politics, Durso worked as a sanitation supervisor handling recycling programs and also worked a second job as a Public Safety Officer at Hofstra University. His offical office website says that he is a proud member of CSEA Local 881 and has also been a member of the Teamsters Local 553 and even served on their bargaining unit. Durso resides in Massapequa Park with his wife and two daughters.
On the Issues: On Durso’s official website he pledges to “work across the aisle to protect the STAR program, keep property tax rebate checks, and increase funding for local schools.” Durso also pledges to “advocate for additional funding for vocational programs” and to stand with “police, firefighters, doctors, nurses, and frontline workers.” The website also highlights bills he’s sponsored to create a voter ID law, classify exposing a first responder to fentanyl as first-degree assault, create a state public sector employee loan forgiveness program, develop a regional plan for Long Island glass recycling, and more.

Steven Dellavecchia (D)

Candidate Background: Steven Dellavecchia advanced from the 2024 Democratic Primary for New York State Assembly District 9 after running unopposed, according to Ballotpedia. Dellavecchia does not appear to have a campaign website or campaign web presence and is likely not actively campaigning. Dellavecchia was previously listed on the ballot alongside Durso in 2022 and got 30.5% of the vote according to Ballotpedia. Dellavecchia achieved that number despite not actively campaigning according to a Suffolk Democratic Committee statement reported by Patch.com in November of 2022.
On the Issues: Dellavecchia’s policy preferences are unclear because he does not appear to have a campaign website or any web presence for his campaign.

New York State Assembly District 11 Election

Kwani O’Pharrow (Democrat)

Candidate Background: Democrat Kwani O’Pharrow says on his campaign website he served in the Navy from 1990 to 1994 as Radioman Petty Officer 3rd Class (RM3)-Intel and served 28 years working in the NYPD before retiring as a detective. O’Pharrow’s website also says he is a certified boxing coach and president of Starrett City Boxing, a boxing club his grandfather founded in 1978. He also founded Cops N’ Kids Long Island, an organization that fosters positive relationships between law enforcement and young people through mentoring. O’Pharrow also worked with local leaders and organizations to personally fund and deliver food to homebound individuals when Meals on Wheels service was disrupted during the pandemic. He and his wife have four children and five grandchildren.
On the Issues: O’Pharrow’s campaign website says he aims to “build trust and collaboration between law enforcement and communities, improve access to quality education for all students, and provide support for families through affordable housing and mental health services.” The website also highlights commitments to “honor and support veterans,” “help seniors age in place,” and protect the environment.

Joe Cardinale (Republican / Conservative Party)

Candidate Background: Republican Joe Cardinale is a retired NYPD lieutenant commander. He is also a small business owner and the operator of Blue Line Pilot Cars. Cardinale also told a Ballotpedia survey that he is a former member of Teamsters Local 282 and a current member of the Lieutenants Benevolent Association, New York State 10-13 Association, and the National Rifle Association (NRA). He was born in Brooklyn and currently lives in Amityville.
On the Issues: Cardinale says on his campaign website he “will fight to lower taxes, create jobs, and make our communities safer.” According to his Ballotpedia survey, he wants to repeal the cashless bail reform law and other “pro-criminal laws.” He also opposes programs that he says use billions of dollars in state funds to benefit undocumented immigrants. Cardinale also endorses fighting inflation, cracking down on undocumented immigration, and increasing funding for affordable housing initiatives and education on his campaign website.

All headshot photos and other information has been collected from Ballotpedia, as well as other sources.