Pepitz Blanchard, a Republican from New Cassel, whom Troiano defeated in the county election last November, recently confirmed his candidacy to the Herald, expressing his prospects for office in his second time around.

“I am deeply humbled for receiving a second chance to run for the county legislature office,” said Blanchard, who works as a respiratory therapist at Nassau University Medical Center. “Once elected, I will endorse an open door policy where people from my district can come and ask questions and voice their concern.”

In the special election, Blanchard said he plans to run a more aggressive campaign, previously addressing the tax rate and insecurity in his district, and “bring forth the truth” so constituents will see that assuming public office is a privilege and not a right.

“The candidate must qualify for the position and understand the needs of the community,” Blanchard said. “The only way to understand the needs of the community is to live in that community, among the people, listening to them everything and being able to connect with them.”

Nassau County Democratic Committee Chairman Jay Jacobs, Nassau County Republican Party spokesman Councilman Anthony Santino could not be reached for comment.