Thursday, March 27, 2025
He’s been a steady presence in village politics for nearly a decade. Now, Sean Wright, a United Community Party stalwart, is trading his business suit for a judge’s robe as he takes the bench in Nassau County’s 2nd District Court. Filling his seat for the remainder of his term is political newcomer Sharon Daly.
Rather than a quiet swearing-in at Village Hall, officials seized the centennial flag-raising event as a high-profile stage to announce her appointment. Daly, nevertheless, will have to run to keep her seat for a full term during a special village election on March 18.
So, who is Sharon Daly? These are the top three things you need to know:
1. She is a lifelong resident with a strong community presence
Her family’s roots in Valley Stream stretch back to the early 1920s. Raised in Valley Stream alongside her three brothers, she attended Holy Name of Mary School before moving on to Central High School. From an early age, she immersed herself in the community, playing sports, joining local organizations including as a cheerleader for the Valley Stream Green Hornets, and staying actively involved throughout high school. “I always seem to fall into leadership roles,” said Daly. “I’m just one of those people who takes it by the horns and moves things forward.”
As an adult, she’s served as the fundraising chairperson for Holy Name of Mary, active at the Holy Name of Mary Parish, and volunteered with the Valley Stream Green Hornets Youth Football Organization for decades.
2. She’s never held public office but is a well-connected political insider
Daly, a lifelong Republican, has been an active member of the Valley Stream Republican Club despite never holding formal office. She has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with club leader and former Nassau County Board of Elections Republican Commissioner John DeGrace, coordinating events like the annual Valley Stream GOP Person of the Year ceremony—a tradition she founded.
“I always wanted to find deserving recipients who contributed to the village,” she said.
3. She insists on a listen-and-learn approach to her role as trustee
Daly is upfront about her lack of experience in public office and intends to take it all in. “I’m coming in this cold, so I’m going to just sit back as a newbie and listen and learn,” said Daly. “And if it’s anything like my past, I always end up getting overly involved, because I put my heart and soul into anything that I take on.” The trustee calls diversity the village’s strength and says leaders need to tune in to every constituent’s concerns—and take the extra step to hear them out.
Have an opinion on this article? Send an email to jlasso@liherald.com.
