Election 2014

McDonough, Tumminello vie for 14th Assembly seat

Posted

The race for the New York State Legislature’s 14th Assembly District pits the incumbent, Republican David McDonough, of North Merrick, against Gaspare Tumminello, a Democrat from Merrick, who is deputy chief of staff for the Nassau County Legislature’s Democratic minority. Tumminello, a native of Franklin Square, had previously run unsuccessfully for Nassau County legislator in the 8th District in 2009.

This year, the Herald asked each of the candidates to fill in a four-question survey about their positions on salient state issues.

The 14th Assembly District takes in all or parts of Freeport, Roosevelt, Merrick, North Merrick, Bellmore, North Bellmore, Wantagh, North Wantagh, Seaford and Massapequa.

Herald:
Why are you running for office?

McDonough: I am running for office to continue serving the residents of the 14th Assembly District and the citizens of New York by providing constituent services, equal representation and continuing the effort to reduce state spending and taxes. Also, as chairman of an Assembly Task Force on Public Safety, I am continuing to work on issues such as school safety, bullying and disaster preparedness.

Tumminello: I am running for New York state Assembly because our property taxes are too high and I am concerned about our future. I believe there needs to be more passionate representation in the state Legislature. I am concerned that those who have been in office for a long time begin to lose sight of grassroots initiatives, and the importance of staying connected to your constituents and the issues that matter most to them. I am a lifelong Nassau County resident who understands how hard it is to stay on Long Island, afford to buy a house and start a family here because I am living it right now. My wife and I live in a dual-income household and, like most families of my generation, am being saddled with high mortgage payments, sky-rocketing taxes and worry about the expenses that starting a family will bring. I can empathize with seniors, like my parents, who are struggling to stay in their homes because the taxes are too high and the expenses of home ownership are more than their fixed income allows.

Page 1 / 4