Herald Endorsement

In 5th C.D., Meeks is the pick

Posted

In the 5th Congressional District, eight-term Rep. Gregory Meeks, a Democrat from St. Albans, is being challenged by Rockaway Park, Queens, resident Allen Steinhardt, who is running on his own Allen for Congress line, independent of any party affiliation.

Meeks has a strong knowledge of the issues that affect his constituency, ranging from the continuing rebuilding after Hurricane Sandy to health care and national security. As a member of the House Committee on Financial Services and three associated subcommittees, he plays an important role in helping to steady the nation’s economic health as we move forward through turbulent times.

Meeks also sits on the Foreign Affairs Committee and two related subcommittees, which gives him the perspective to authoritatively oppose having boots on the ground in the conflict with the Islamic State, and instead urging the nations in the region to put together a multi-faceted effort to battle the terrorists.

Steinhardt is a political novice, but he has strong convictions. He rolled up his sleeves and used his construction know-how to help Rockaway Peninsula residents rebuild after Hurricane Sandy. His ideas about reviewing the Affordable Care Act and having large corporations pay a larger share of the insurance costs to reduce the burden on small businesses and the middle class are worth examining.

But Steinhardt appears to be a man without a party. He has said he would caucus with the Republicans, and although an independent voice is always valued, we’re not sure he is trusted by either major party, potentially muting any influence he might have.

Meeks says that he should be re-elected because he is attuned what is happening in the district’s communities and his constituents know he works for them. We know he pays attention to Queens, but we would like him to be seen and heard more often in the Long Island communities he serves — and we believe he will. We encourage voters to give this experienced lawmaker another term on Tuesday.