Rockville Centre Democrats reorganize following 2022 elections

The Rockville Centre Democratic Club is looking to find new energy following the red wave that occurred on Long Island in the 2022 midterm elections.

Last November, residents all over Nassau County voted by-in-large in support of Republican candidates Anthony D’Esposito, George Santos, Nicholas LaLota, Andrew Garbarino, Steve Rhoads, Patricia Canonzeri-Fitzpatrick, Ed Ra, Eric Ari Brown, and Brian Curran.

“The last election cycle showed us that Democrats are vulnerable as are the freedoms and values for which we have all long fought,” Eric Sussman, co-president of the Rockville Centre Democrats said in a release. “After several challenging years due to Covid, we are excited to move forward with new leadership, regular in-person meetings and events, and in playing an instrumental role in local, state, and federal election victories.”

To try and accomplish this, the organization has appointed three new members to its executive board, including Laura Mallay, Kathryn de Santis and Judy Griffin.

Mallay, a South Hempstead resident, brings years of experience to the table as the president of the South Hempstead Civic Association and former executive director of the Residence for Efficient Special Districts nonprofit. In her new role as the co-president of the organization, she will share the duties and responsibilities with Eric Sussman, a former member of the Nassau Planning Commission.

“I am very excited,” Mallay said. “Every individual brings a lot to the table and I think with the addition of Kathryn, Judy and I, we’re going to knock it out of the ballpark.”

She also said that many clubs were at a standstill or were not in operation during the coronavirus pandemic and that this effort is part of a movement throughout the state to get Democrats to reinvigorate and reorganize.

Kathryn De Santis, vice president of the organization, said that as part of this statewide effort they’ve spent weekends going door-to-door canvassing the community.

“I am a third-generation Rockville Centre resident,” De Santis said. “I feel a lot of love for this community and I think this is an opportunity to help get good people into public office so they can have a real positive impact on the community.”

Former Assemblywoman Judy Griffin said she is thrilled to be joining RVC Democratic Club board members Scottie Coads, Elysa LeBron, Louise Skolnik, and Judy Tobey.

She said that as a board, they gave already made several accomplishments, and that with her help, hopes to increase its membership and presence in the community.

“We do have a lot of Democrats in Rockville Centre,” Griffin said, “But the Democrats aren’t always engaged.”

Griffin, who ran as the incumbent in the 2022 elections, lost her seat to Assemblyman Brian Curran, a Republican, by only 138 votes.

She said that while it’s too early to tell if she plans on running again in 2024, she will focus on playing a more active role in the local political organization for now.

“We needed strength in our local committees,” Griffin said. “We needed to be more engaged.” Working with the Nassau County Democrats, she played a role in electing 20 new committee members, mainly from Rockville Centre, to increase their foothold in the local political scene.

While the local Democrats aim to rebuild after the 2022 elections, the local Republicans feel confident that their message will continue to appeal with Long Island voters.

“Republicans in Rockville Centre and across Nassau County are energized because we have the message that is resonating with voters,” Patrick Owens, president of the Rockville Centre Republicans Club said in a statement. “If you want lower taxes, safe communities and a suburban lifestyle, than the Republican Party is for you.”

And with Election Day still a few months away, both committees — Democrats and Republicans — have already started to campaign for the new Nassau County Legislature District 1 seat, which will include both the Rockville Centre and Hempstead communities. In the race for LD1, Scott Davis will be running on the Democratic ticket and Mike Lucchesi will be running on the Republican line.