It’s hard to argue with a track record like that of Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi, a Democrat from Glen Cove. Over the past eight years, he took a fiscally mismanaged, virtually insolvent county and turned it around, consistently balancing a budget that seemingly could not be balanced. Suozzi saved money by cutting the county work force by 1,000 employees and instituting tried-and-true management practices that were previously nonexistent. At the same time, he has put in place a host of programs to improve residents’ quality of life, from smoking-cessation regimens to energy-efficiency incentives. more

The following are summaries of the Town of Hempstead races as previously reported in the Herald. more

The race for Nassau County district attorney pits one-term Democratic incumbent Kathleen Rice, a former federal prosecutor and Brooklyn assistant district attorney, against Republican Joy Watson, a former assistant Nassau County district attorney who is now a law clerk for a county Supreme Court justice. more

Essential services and property taxes are often in the forefront of the issues in the Town of Hempstead, but in this year’s race for supervisor, the rhetoric has shifted toward the proposed … more

In what is becoming an increasingly bitter, partisan battle, Nassau County Legislator Ed Mangano, a Republican, is challenging incumbent Democrat Thomas Suozzi for the county executive’s seat. The race appears to boil down to three key issues: property taxes, a recently imposed 2.5 percent energy tax and the county’s troubled property-tax assessment system. Mangano is challenging Suozzi’s handling of all three issues, while Suozzi fires back that the county has consistently balanced its budget while improving its bond rating, which reduces the interest the county must pay when it bonds money for any number of projects. more

The race in the 5th Legislative District pits incumbent Legislator Joe Scannell (D-Baldwin) against Republican and Conservative party candidate Chris Browne. more

If re-elected, Leg. Francis X. Becker (R-Lynbrook) said that he can see himself accomplishing a lot more in the next two to four years. “I have the ability to help people,” said Becker, a six-term incumbent. “I want to continue to do so.” more

In the race for Hempstead town clerk, incumbent Mark Bonilla, a Republican, is being challenged by political newcomer Anthony Rattoballi, a Democrat. more

George Maragos, CEO of a financial services business, is challenging two-term incumbent Howard Weitzman in the race for Nassau County comptroller. Maragos said that the county’s finances have been poorly managed for the past eight years, and he believes his experience can bring needed change. more

For the past several months, both incumbent Nassau County Legislator Joe Scannell (D- Baldwin) and his Republican challenger, Chris Browne from Rockville Centre, have each claimed to embody Conservative Party ideals. more