Becker won't seek re-election to Legislature

Longtime public servant says he need to do 'something different'

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Longtime Nassau County Legislator Francis X. Becker (R-Lynbrook) announced last week that he would not seek re-election in November, after having served for two decades. In December he will finish his term in the 6th District, which includes Lynbrook, Malverne, North Lynbrook, Valley Stream and portions of Franklin Square, Hewlett, Rockville Centre and Woodmere.

“I realized there’s more I can accomplish, and sometimes you need to do something different,” said the 62-year-old Lynbrook resident. Another Lynbrook Republican, C. William Gaylor, announced his bid for the 6th District legislative seat, backed by the Nassau County GOP. The Democratic candidate for the seat has not yet been announced.

A graduate of Lynbrook High School, Becker attended Nassau Community College and Hofstra University, where he studied business finance. A certified financial planner, he is president of Becker & Associates Planning Services in Lynbrook. He and his wife, Clementine, live in the home of his late grandfather, former U.S. Rep. Frank J. Becker. They have three grown daughters.

Becker lost two campaigns for Congress to 4th District incumbent Carolyn McCarthy (D-Mineola).

Last July, State Assemblyman Brian Curran, also of Lynbrook, took over as the village’s Republican leader after Becker served in that position for over a decade. Other members of the Becker family had served as executive leader of the Lynbrook Republican Committee for close to 40 years.

“I was really very much going to run for re-election,” Becker said, “then I had a change of heart. I’ve been doing this for 20 years, and I feel that I’ve accomplished everything that I could. I think it’s time to try something else.”

He said he has contacted Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano about the possibility of working for the county. He did not elaborate on what type of job he is seeking.

“It’s been a great honor to serve,” Becker said of his time in the Legislature. “The district has changed over the years … The governmental part was frustrating at times … The best [part] was helping the people.”

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