Sen. Jim Gaughran not running for reelection

State Sen. James Gaughran, who represents much of the North Shore, has decided not to run for reelection due to the new congressional maps, which became official on May 20. District 5 no longer includes areas in Nassau County, which Gaughran said would make winning a challenge. 

“If I had the Town of Huntington and Babylon I’d be OK but Smithtown and other areas in the new maps are strongly Republican,” said the Northport resident. “It would be a tough win because I feel strongly about protecting women’s reproductive rights and gun safety. The new areas support the NRA which I don’t. I am who I am.”

Community activist Agatha Nadel, of Glen Head, was disappointed, saying Gaughran had done a great deal for her hamlet and the Village of Sea Cliff. Leading North Shore Concerned Citizens as its director in the group’s  fight against New York American Water’s privatization of the area’s water and the high price tag that came with it, Nadel worked closely with Gaughran for years. 

“Jim knew the depth of the problem, what needed to be done and he got it done,” she said. “He’s an overall great person. The minute the governor signed the Water Authority legislation he called me. I’ll never forget that.”

The legislation, signed in November 2021 by Gov. Kathy Hochul, establishes a North Shore Water Authority, for NYAW customers in the Town of Oyster Bay. Liberty Utilities finalized the $608 million purchase of NYAW on Jan. 3. With the takeover, Liberty agreed to freeze rates through 2023 as part of a settlement with the state Public Service Commission, which approved the deal in December. 

The sale came with the understanding that the affected villages and towns would have the opportunity to buy back control of their own water or municipalize it. In order to do that, the communities would need their own representation and governing authority, thus leading to the formation of the North Shore Water Authority. The group met in Sea Cliff on May 25, where they began the process of  municipalizing their water for the first time.

All of this was made possible due to the work of citizens on the North Shore and assistance from Gaughran, who was the chair of the Suffolk County Water Authority for eight years. He used his experience and that of being a one-time Suffolk County legislator, Town of Huntington board trustee and private practice attorney to effectively fight NYAW. 

“Jim Gaughran was an incredible resource and an asset to Sea Cliff,” Elena Villafane, Sea Cliff’s mayor said. “He was a relentless advocate for us in the North Shore Water Authority legislation. And he’s always been available to me as a source of government support.”

Then she added, Gaughran is the type of elected officials who served for the right reasons. And Nadel agreed.  

“Senator Gaughran is the consummate pro. He embodies everything I would look for in a politician,” Nadel said. “He listens to understand the issue and his actions speak louder then words. He knew the depth of the problem and what needed to be done and got it done.”

Gaughran has been known to show up for events. Ravin Chetram, of Oyster Bay, the vice president of the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Chamber of Commerce, said he too was sorry to hear of Gaughran’s decision not to run again. 

“He was always there for us at our events, ribbon cuttings,” Chetram said. “I really like him.”

Edward Lieberman, a former mayor of Sea Cliff, said he had worked with Gaughran on the village’s water issue when he was a freshman state senator. “He was very well versed in the water authority issues in Sea Cliff and took what he knew to Albany,” Lieberman said. “Jim was congenial, engaged and always looked out for his constituents. He came to many of our Sea Cliff events too, including giving out certificates to two lifeguards who saved a person at our beach before Covid. I know the lifeguards were honored he was there to give them the certificates.”

Gaughran said he was proud of his efforts to help create the North Shore Water Authority to give residents that it will serve — Sea Cliff, Glen Head, and parts of Glenwood Landing, Old Brookville and Roslyn Harbor — a voice in having public water. “Private water is not the future,” he said. “The new legislation allows for suing of polluters.”

He’ll miss the opportunity to go to Albany to represent his “neighbors,” Gaughran said, and pass important legislation. “It was a learning curve, how Albany works,” he said. “I will miss my colleagues and I did enjoy meeting people and going to my constituents events.”

His future plans include working hard between now and the end of the year, he said. “I will push for as much funding for economic development from the budget as I can for my district,” he said.  “I’ve never thought I had all the answers. I think people who do shouldn’t be in public office.”

Mike Smollins and Will Sheeline contributed to this story.