Herald Endorsement

Re-elect McDonough in the 14th A.D.

Posted

The Herald enthusiastically endorses incumbent David McDonough, a Republican from North Merrick, in the 14th Assembly District.

McDonough, who has held office since 2002, has distinguished himself over the years with a long list of accomplishments, despite his minority status in the Assembly. For example, he chaired the Assembly Minority Task Force on Sexual Assault that was instrumental in lobbying to eliminate New York’s ridiculous five-year statute of limitations on rape.

The 77-year-old McDonough is also chairman of the Assembly Minority Task Force on Public Safety. As such, he has received extensive training in homeland security and is regularly briefed on pressing security issues affecting not only his home district, but also the greater metropolitan area, and even the nation.

Moreover, McDonough just loves the office. He speaks of his election to the Assembly with an affection that we find rare among elected leaders these days. For him, it’s not just a job or a steppingstone. It is an honor and a privilege to serve the 14th District. We need more elected leaders like him.

We like his opponent, Gaspare Tumminello, a Democrat from Merrick and the deputy chief of staff of the Nassau County Legislature’s Democratic minority. He appears to be hardworking and earnest, but, at 31, he has no legislative record, no experience in elected office. That is to say, he has yet to prove himself. We couldn’t consider endorsing him for the Assembly, given McDonough’s long record of service — not only there, but also as a former president of the Nassau County Councils of Chamber of Commerce, the Merrick Chamber of Commerce and the Merrick Kiwanis Club.

McDonough should be voters’ choice in the 14th A.D.