Saturday, October 24, 2026
Graham Musynske, the Democratic candidate in Nassau County's 18th Legislative District, is running on a platform of government transparency, affordability and environmental protection, arguing that county residents deserve greater accountability from their elected officials.
Musynske, 41, has lived in Bayville for 12 years. An attorney specializing in medical malpractice defense and litigation, he is challenging incumbent Republican Legislator Samantha Goetz.
Musynske said his decision to run was motivated partly by concerns about the Legislature's lack of transparency and his desire to protect the environment for his three children, who attend school in the Locust Valley Central School District.
He criticized the Legislature for giving residents limited information about its deliberations, arguing that constituents should be able to follow proposed legislation, committee discussions and individual votes.
“You look at the Nassau County Legislature and you look at what is going on there,” Musynske said. “Crickets. There's nothing. You can't find anything.”
Affordability is another central issue in his campaign. Musynske said that residents he spoke with while canvassing frequently raise concerns about the cost of living, including gasoline and housing. To help younger residents remain on Long Island, he said, the county should explore incentives for first-time homebuyers, including a rebate to offset some of the initial costs of purchasing a home.
He also expressed support for efforts to create additional housing in existing areas zoned for residential development, arguing that younger people should have the opportunity to establish themselves on Long Island.
Environmental protection, particularly water quality, is another priority for Musynske. He cited the importance of oyster populations in maintaining healthy waterways, and said that protecting Oyster Bay and Long Island Sound should be a central responsibility of county government.
On the region's long-term water supply, Musynske said that Nassau County should consult experts to determine how best to protect its aquifer and prevent future shortages.
“I would say that the county would need to invest in expert opinions in order to figure out what is going to be best for our communities,” he said, “in order to figure out what is most cost-efficient for our communities.”
Regarding the proposed Propel NY Energy transmission project, Musynske said he wants more information about its environmental effects and potential disruptions. He proposed a public town hall, at which project representatives and opponents could present evidence and answer residents’ questions about construction timelines, traffic and other impacts.
“The only thing that I can promise with respect to my position on that is that I would listen to the communities and people that are proposing,” he said.
On immigration enforcement, Musynske said he opposed broad operations targeting people in their communities, and argued that Nassau County should not use local taxpayer money to help cover the cost of federal enforcement efforts.
Ultimately, he said, he hopes to bring a more collaborative approach to county government, even in a heavily Republican district. “I think that there are more things that unite us than divide us,” Musynske said. “I think that we need to have adults back in the room.”
