Kathleen Rice ascended to the district attorney’s post four years ago as a virtual unknown -- a former federal prosecutor and Brooklyn assistant district attorney who had never run for political office before. Back then, she appeared a tad unsure of herself, slightly nervous in her interviews with the Herald. And why not? She was opposing the legendary Denis Dillon, who had served as Nassau County district attorney for 31 years. Despite being a political neophyte, Rice ran a strong campaign, and was elected with 51 percent of the vote to Dillon’s 49 percent. Four years later, we’re happy that Rice was elected. She has proven herself to be a consummate professional who only improved an already well-run D.A.’s office. Cases are processed nearly twice as fast as they once were. Conviction rates are up. And Rice has garnered a national reputation for her aggressive stance against driving while intoxicated. Many now call her the toughest DWI prosecutor in the country. more

State Assemblyman David McDonough, a Republican from North Merrick, is reminding his constituents that the law banning texting while driving will take effect Nov. 1. The law was passed by the state to supplement the current law banning the use of a cell phone without a hands-free device while driving. more

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 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

From the day she took office in 1997, Norma Gonsalves has been in the political game for all the right reasons. Time and again, she has put her community before politics.Twelve years later, we are … more

Many candidates vying for votes in upcoming local elections reached out to residents at an Oct. 14 Meet the Candidates Night hosted by the South Merrick Community Civic Association and the North Merrick Community Association at the Merrick Golf Course clubhouse. Hopefuls seeking terms in county, town and District Court positions were given 10 minutes to address the crowd. Above all else, candidates used the time to speak out on the controversial Lighthouse project that, if approved, would redesign Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum and much of the surrounding Garden City area. Most candidates also took time to introduce themselves and explain what they hope to do for residents should they be voted into office on Nov. 3. Candidates running for county offices who spoke at the event were Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, a Democrat, and his Republican challenger, Edward Mangano; Republican candidate for District Attorney, Joy Watson; Republican incumbent running for county clerk, Maureen O'Connell; Nassau County Legislator Norma Gonsalves, the Republican incumbent representing the 13th L.D., and her Democratic challenger, Patricia Maher; and Nassau County Legislator David Denenberg, the Democratic incumbent representing the 19th L.D., and his Republican challenger, Dr. Fred Jones. Candidates for Town of Hempstead offices who attended were Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray, a Republican, and her Democratic challenger, Kristen McElroy; Town Clerk Mark Bonilla, a Republican, and his Democratic challenger, Anthony Rattoballi; and Town Council challenger in the 6th District, Democrat Matt Hynes. District Judge candidates Donald Birnbaum, the Democratic incumbent, and his Republican challenger, Terrence Murphy, also spoke. 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

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

A proven track record, a sensitivity to individual constituents’ concerns and an aggressive approach to tough issues are three of the key traits of a model elected representative. During his 10 … more