The Herald endorses

For Congress
Peter King (R) 3rd C.D.
Carolyn McCarthy (D) 4th C.D.

For state Senate
Kemp Hannon (R) 6th S.D.
Craig Johnson (D) 7th S.D.
Charles Fuschillo (R) 8th S.D.
Dean Skelos (R) 9th S.D.

For state Assembly
Robert Barra (R) 14th A.D.
Robert Walker (R) 15th A.D.
Tom McKevitt (R) 17th A.D.
Earlene Hooper (D) 18th A.D.
David McDonough (R) 19th A.D.
Harvey Weisenberg (D) 20th A.D.
Tom Alfano (R) 21st A.D.

Give your vote to King in 3rd C.D.

      Our endorsement for the 3rd Congressional District seat goes to the incumbent, Peter King, a Republican from Seaford.
      We did not appreciate that King was one of a handful of political candidates who did not return our phone calls requesting an election interview. However, his long resume trumps the enthusiasm of his opponent, Graham Long, a Democrat and a 25-year-old political neophyte. Graham gave a terrific interview. He was quite clearly bright and wants to lead. But we would suggest that he run for lower office -- and win -- before he takes on a respected member of the House of Representatives like King.
      King is the ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee and a member of the Financial Services Committee. Before he was elected to Congress, he served three terms as the Nassau County comptroller and on the Hempstead Town Council. He graduated from St. Francis College in Brooklyn and the University of Notre Dame Law School.
      King is among Congress's more colorful members, appearing regularly on national TV news shows. Most folks like him, and we do, too -- and we encourage voters to re-elect him.

In 4th C.D., re-elect McCarthy

      The Herald endorses U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy in the 4th Congressional District, which encompasses Baldwin, East Meadow, East Rockaway, Elmont, the Five Towns, Lynbrook, Floral Park, Franklin Square, Garden City, Hempstead, Mineola, Carle Place, New Hyde Park, Oceanside, Rockville Centre, Roosevelt, Uniondale, Valley Stream and Westbury.
      McCarthy dived into politics in 1997, four years after her husband was murdered on the Long Island Rail Road, and her tireless fight for new gun laws led people to label her a single-issue congresswoman. But her focus paid off: This year a bill she authored became law, requiring the National Instant Criminal Background Check System to stop gun purchases by convicted criminals and those with a history of mental illness.
      McCarthy has developed into a strong voice for her constituents on health care, education reform and other issues focusing on children, families and senior citizens. She is chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities, and serves on the Financial Services and the Education and Labor committees, as well as subcommittees on Capital Markets Insurance and Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions, among others. She is on the boards of four anti-gun violence organizations.
      McCarthy has authored 56 bills, eight of which have been approved by the House. Though only one has been signed into law, we do not think this modest success rate is for lack of trying, because she does not appear to be slowing down. She votes with her conscience, she says, and believes in thinking outside the box, even if it makes her unpopular.
      Her Republican challenger, Jack Martins, has been the mayor of Mineola since 2003, and says he "took the bull by the horns" and brought the village back from the brink of bankruptcy with across-the-board budget cuts and discretionary spending freezes. We commend Martins's success in developing a master plan for Mineola and making all those cuts while maintaining services for residents.
      Martins says that Washington politicians have failed to provide leadership, and that his would be a strong voice in Congress. He even calls McCarthy the Invisible Woman in her district when she sends representatives to local meetings -- although he does admit that, if elected, he, too, would spend time away from the district.
      We believe the district would be best served under McCarthy. Having seen her tenacity, we are confident that she will continue to work hard while holding onto her integrity. If Martins hasn't seen her in Mineola lately, we're sure it's because she's busy fighting for her constituents in Washington. Vote for McCarthy on Tuesday.

Re-elect Hannon in 6th Senate District

      Residents of the 6th Senate District are fortunate to have two intelligent candidates vying to represent them in Albany. The incumbent, Republican Kemp Hannon, 62, said he is committed to serving his district with distinction.
      During his current term, Hannon, a lifelong Garden City resident, worked to address health care issues and improve patient care for residents statewide. He lobbied to secure $750,000 in state funding for the creation of a Medicaid fraud unit in Nassau County, which is under way.
      Hannon also spearheaded efforts to address the controversy surrounding Dr. Harvey Finkelstein, an anesthesiologist and pain management specialist who reused plastic syringe barrels at his Massapequa practice from January 2000 to January 2005. One of Finkelstein's patients contracted the hepatitis C infection from the reuse of syringes. In response, Hannon organized two public hearings in December and January to create legislation that would ensure that the public has access to information about a physician's disciplinary proceedings and that improper medical practices like Finkelstein's would not be repeated. The legislation was signed into law this year.
      The challenger, Democrat Kristen McElroy, 33, is articulate and eager to serve the district's constituents. Also a lifelong resident of Garden City, McElroy has a solid understanding of the issues that are facing residents and many ideas about how to address these issues. She supports a "circuit breaker" tax legislation that aims to reduce the tax burden on residents, and she is willing to consolidate certain educational services to make sure more money is spent on needs in the classroom rather than administrative costs.
      We believe both candidates would work diligently on behalf of the district that encompasses Franklin Square, West Hempstead, Lakeview, East Meadow and Salisbury, among other areas. They are both willing to go the extra mile and fight for constituents' needs and wants in Albany, and they have a number of realistic ideas that would help to improve residents' quality of life. There is no wrong choice here.
      However, Hannon's work this term shows that he is committed to making sure that the voices of the 6th District are heard in Albany. We encourage voters to return him to office.

Johnson deserves another term in state Senate

      In early 2007, Craig Johnson did something no Democrat had done in 100 years: He was elected to represent the 7th District in the state Senate. This year, the 36-year-old father of two from Port Washington is being challenged by Republican Barbara Donno, the mayor of the Village of Plandome Manor and a former member of the Manhasset School District Board of Education.
      Johnson sat on the Nassau County Legislature from 2000 to 2007, and much of his early tenure was spent trying to get the county's financial house back in order.
      The 7th District covers the Town of North Hempstead, but it also reaches into Franklin Square and Elmont and includes Belmont Park. The future of the park is one of the most important local issues in the district. Belmont, as is, does not work for the community, and it is time to move the property in a new direction. Of course, the horse racing will stay, but right now that attracts a big crowd only once a year. Whether it is video lottery terminals, retail development or a combination of the two, it is time to look at Belmont differently.
      Both Johnson and Donno recognize this, but we believe that Johnson is better suited to lead the district through a revitalization process. What this project needs more than anything is community input. Belmont should not be what state leaders want or what the New York Racing Association wants. Instead, state leaders and NYRA should be advocates for what the residents of Elmont and the surrounding communities want.
      Johnson has fought to include the community in the decision-making process, and he sponsored legislation to create a 15-member local advisory board, which would include seven members of the Elmont community. He also voted against allowing NYRA to continue operating Belmont and two other racetracks because he was not happy with the way NYRA had treated the local community.
      Property taxes are a major concern among residents of the district, and Johnson wants to increase the rebate homeowners can receive based on how much school taxes they pay. His "triple play" property tax relief plan is designed to encourage schools to be mindful of spending and tax increases, and to put more money in residents' pockets.
      As a former school board member, Donno knows the burden local school districts face in unfunded mandates, and we believe she would fight hard to bring more money to local school districts.
      Both candidates support more oversight of state agencies that use taxpayer dollars but are not controlled directly by state government.
      Donno has a long history of public service, but her campaign has had a very negative tone, something we haven't seen from Johnson.
      We believe 7th District residents have been well served by Johnson, and that he will continue to fight for them. His experience as a county lawmaker has served him well in the Senate, and he deserves another two years.

Re-elect Fuschillo in the 8th S.D.

      Rarely have we seen a candidate as committed to his constituents' concerns as state Sen. Charles Fuschillo Jr., a Republican from Merrick. So our endorsement in the 8th Senate District is an easy one: It goes to Fuschillo.
      That is not to say that we didn't like his opponent, Democrat Carol Gordon of Massapequa. We did. She is clearly committed to public service, having served in a number of leadership positions in nonprofit community organizations.
      Fuschillo's résumé and long list of political accomplishments, however, dominate the comparison with Gordon.
      Fuschillo, a graduate of Adelphi University, is currently focused on bringing more affordable housing to Long Island. He helped secure $31 million in state funding for the Long Island Housing Partnership, and helped pass legislation requiring that 10 percent of new homes in a development with more than five units be dedicated to "work force," or affordable, housing.
      Fuschillo has also secured grants to erect solar paneling on school and government building rooftops, which will lower costs by reducing the need for expensive energy from the Long Island Power Authority, thus helping to contain property taxes. Most recently, he won a grant to install solar paneling at the Town of Hempstead's senior center in Merrick. We can only say, bravo, Senator Fuschillo!
      He also authored legislation to reduce drivers' legal blood alcohol content from .1 to .08 percent. Now he is working on legislation to require ignition interlock devices in all cars driven by those convicted of DWI. The devices would require offenders to pass a sobriety test by breathing into a tube before they could drive.
      On top of it all, Fuschillo played a leading role in ensuring that the Village of Freeport's old, potentially dangerous diesel power plant was shut down and replaced with a new, clean-burning, gas-fired plant.
      The list of Fuschillo's accomplishments goes on. We encourage voters to re-elect him.

Re-elect Skelos in the 9th Senate District

      We endorse state Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos for another -- his 13th -- term in the Senate.
      Skelos, a Rockville Centre native who has been in the Senate since 1984, takes great pride and is well recognized for "bringing home the bacon" -- delivering state grants that support many diverse local community organizations in the village and throughout the 9th Senate District.
      He has successfully fought for Long Island's "fair share" of state funds for schools. Last April, as he has for the past several years, he worked to restore funding that otherwise would have been withheld from schools throughout the area due to changes in arcane state aid formulas. This enabled school boards in Rockville Centre and other districts throughout Nassau County to apply those funds directly to the tax levy, a real boon in their struggle to keep taxes as low as possible.
      Skelos supports the proposed 4 percent property tax cap, while saying that it must be part of a larger solution to burdensome property taxes. We agree that if the cap is enacted, the state must somehow supplement funds not raised through taxes. State lawmakers must determine whether they will be able to provide necessary funds to school districts given the current state of the economy and the multi-billion-dollar state deficit. The state must also provide relief for the unfunded mandates that have strapped local school districts, and encourage them to find some way to share services.
      Skelos is also known for his work in repealing the commuter tax. This issue reared its ugly head again recently, and we trust he will fight just as hard against it now.
      He is a strong proponent of at least one MTA capital project that would truly benefit local commuters: Long Island Rail Road access to Grand Central terminal.
      Skelos is the author of Megan's Law, which created the New York State Sex Offender Registry, and he has led a crackdown on Medicaid fraud that has saved taxpayers over $1 billion.
      Elected in June to lead his party in the Senate, which now holds the majority in by one seat, Skelos has been effective and shown signs of real leadership in the role, working well so far with Gov. David Paterson in getting things done. Skelos has said he wants to push for reforms that would make Albany more accountable to taxpayers. We strongly support him in that effort. We particularly like his plan to hold open meetings, a step toward ending the "three men in a room" approach that has long characterized the state's budget process. He has suggested that Leaders Meetings among the governor, Assembly speaker and Senate majority leader become joint conference meetings that are open to the public. We look forward to that change.
      Skelos is being challenged by political newcomer Roy Simon, who says that despite all his talk about reducing property taxes, Skelos still doesn't really have a plan. Simon says he wants to clean up Albany and fight for the people of Nassau County. And he says that Skelos's largesse could be threatened if Democrats take over the Senate.
      A professor of ethics at Hofstra University's law school, Simon is a highly articulate and credible candidate who has thought through some important ideas that could lead to welcome long-term changes in Albany and changes in a tax structure that makes little sense. We encourage him to continue to compete in the political arena.
      But we believe that especially in this time of financial turmoil, Skelos's experience will enable him to serve the district better. We believe he has served the interests of his district well, and we know his heart is in the right place. We endorse his re-election.

Re-elect Barra in 14th District

      14th District Assemblyman Bob Barra has been challenged this year by newcomer Joe Ferrara, who says it's time for a change. Barra is proud of his record, and would like nothing more than to serve a fifth term for the district. He says he can play ball with both Democrats and Republicans to get things done, and we believe him.
      Barra has accomplished much as a member of the minority party. He is a visible assemblyman, and accessible to his constituents. He is in favor of a three-year tax freeze, and would like to rework the budget to include a dollar-for-dollar reimbursement for state mandates. He co-authored and pushed through Father Larry's Law, making sure that those with dangerous mental illnesses cannot purchase firearms.
      Both candidates are concerned about property taxes, restoring the district's downtown areas, and finding and funding alternative energies. Ferrara, with experience in public relations and advocacy groups, does offer some solutions to the district's problems, but we believe Barra when he says that he will not allow his district to be shortchanged - and that his opponent cannot fight as hard as he can.
      The Herald endorses Barra. We believe he will continue to be an effective legislator for the next two years.

Re-elect Rob Walker to the 15th Assembly District

      Two candidates with varied experience are contending for the seat in the 15th Assembly District. At 33, incumbent Rob Walker (R, C, I, WF) of Hicksville is the youngest member of the state Legislature, but was raised on government and public service. Since his election to the Assembly in 2006, Walker has, by all accounts, been accessible to his constituents, connected with them and responded to their needs.
      Challenger Stephanie Ovadia (D) of East Meadow also has plenty of experience. As an attorney for 23 years, Ovadia is familiar with the way the law works and expresses a desire to write policy someday. Like Walker, she takes an interest in her clients, often checking up on them and visiting their homes. She is a confident, intelligent and optimistic woman who sees property taxes as a major burden on district residents.
      The Herald endorses Walker, however, believing that he should be elected to another term in the Assembly, based on both his work thus far and his potential.
      With young adults moving out of the area because of the tough economic times and the ever-rising cost of living, Walker has made a commitment to try to keep these people in Nassau County. He has been a leader in Renew New York, a Legislative effort to prevent those who are just beginning their careers from leaving the state.
      Like his challenger, Walker identifies high taxes as a major issue for residents. Although he remains neutral on the proposed cap on school property taxes, he understands that all levels of government need to work closely together to find the right solutions and cut unnecessary spending.
      More important, Walker has responded to the quality-of-life issues that his constituents face, and has been visible throughout the district in non-election as well as election years. We are confident that he will do the same in his next term, and encourage voters in the 15th to return him to the Assembly.

In 17th A.D., re-elect McKevitt

      Voters in the 17th Assembly District have to choose between two homegrown candidates who are both passionate about their community. The Republican incumbent, lifelong East Meadow resident Tom McKevitt, is serious about his seat in the state Assembly, and his voting record shows it. In his three and a half years as an assemblyman, McKevitt has yet to miss a vote.
      Instead of viewing his minority party status as a weakness, McKevitt appears to savor his role. He demonstrates a willingness to speak up not only to his party colleagues, but also to his adversaries. He has reached across the aisle on several occasions, recently co-sponsoring a bill with a local Democrat that streamlines the prosecution of drunk drivers. He says he plans to do more of the same, perhaps authoring an education bill of his own in the near future.
      Democrat John Pinto, a lifelong resident of North Merrick, happens to be tough, too. In fact, many refer to him as a "pit bull." Pinto's record reflects many years of service to local communities, including 11 years on the North Merrick Board of Education and two years on the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District school board.
      In addition to his unconditional love for his local schools, Pinto has experience in molding school budgets. He acknowledges the challenges that school boards face, and emphasizes the need for more state school aid.
      But so does McKevitt. The incumbent has teamed up with bipartisan Assembly representatives from Nassau County to fight for a better share of state education aid. He notes that more state aid has been secured for the 17th District, which encompasses about 35 schools, but there is a lot more to accomplish.
      As far as McKevitt is concerned, a cap on school property taxes should not be the final solution to ever-growing tax bills. He says it will take reform at the top of the state's educational structure -- commissioner of the Board of Regents and the board itself -- which he plans to take on if re-elected.
      We believe Pinto is a strong candidate, and that this race will be a close one. But the Herald endorses McKevitt, who we believe will be able to do the most for his constituency in these scary economic times.

Re-elect Hooper in 18th Assembly District

      The Herald endorses Democrat Earlene Hooper, who is seeking her 12th term as a state assemblywoman. Hooper has represented the 18th District -- which encompasses Lakeview, parts of West Hempstead, East Meadow, South Hempstead, Hempstead and Roosevelt, among other areas -- since 1988, and it is evident that she has realistic plans to continue to improve the district.
      During her current term, Hooper authored a bill that aimed to wipe out the Roosevelt School District's $8 million deficit and provide the district with educational aid. In January, the Assembly passed the bill and gave the district a $12 million grant for academic improvements. Hooper also led efforts this term to put together $220 million in state funding to rebuild all of the district's facilities. One phase of this project was completed on Sept. 29, when the district celebrated the opening of its new $55 million middle school.
      Hooper was also part of a recent state and Nassau County effort that provided $61 million to Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow to improve its service. The funds will be used for emergency room upgrades and other refurbishments at the facility.
      Hooper is well-informed on the major issues that are on the minds of residents of her district -- taxes, affordable health care and housing, and infrastructure improvements, among others. In fact, she has already started to address many of those issues. During an interview with the Herald editorial board, Hooper said she is advancing plans to create new, full-service health centers in Roosevelt and Hempstead. The centers, which would offer medical assistance to residents who are uninsured or whose coverage is limited, are already under contract to be built. A MRI diagnostic center will also be built in Hempstead. Hooper is also finalizing plans to make needed enhancements to school district facilities and roads in Hempstead.
      We would have enjoyed broadening the conversation about the district with Hooper's Republican challenger, Darren Bryant, but Bryant did not respond to our repeated requests for an interview.
      Hooper's work this term alone shows that she has a passion for improving her constituents' quality of life. We encourage voters to return her to office.

Vote McDonough in the 19th A.D.

The Herald enthusiastically endorses Assemblyman David McDonough, a Republican from Merrick, for re-election in the 19th District.
      McDonough has long been a good friend to Long Island's South Shore. His community activism began with the Merrick Chamber of Commerce, which he served as president for four terms, as well as with the Merrick Kiwanis Club. Service appears to be in his blood. He did tours of duty in the Coast Guard and the Air Force after graduating from Columbia University with an economics degree.
      At the same time, there are few political candidates whom we have seen show a greater love and respect for elected office than McDonough. And we appreciate his hard work on important issues.
      We were especially impressed in recent years by his work on sex-crimes legislation. McDonough worked hard to upgrade New York's laws, including a stronger Megan's Law. He also fought to do away with the state's ludicrous five-year statute of limitations on forcible rape.
      Like so many elected leaders, McDonough is now focused on controlling property taxes and says he is committed to fighting for Long Island's fair share of state education aid. Judging by his past performance, he certainly is.
      McDonough's challenger, Democrat Howard Kudler, is a New York City social-studies teacher. In an interview with the Herald, he appeared to be developing his positions as he went along. He said, for example, that he would build a "hybrid highway" beside the Meadowbrook Parkway, on which only hybrid cars would be allowed. We found the proposal silly, if not confused. At the same time that Kudler said he wanted the highway built, he said he would not tear up wetlands. How? He also said that he would consider larger class sizes as a way to reduce costs in the schools and contain property taxes. Never mind that class size is an issue for local boards of education, and not Assembly members. At the same time that Kudler said he wanted bigger classes, he said he would not want to "overburden" teachers. So, which way would he have it? Bigger or smaller? He was unclear.
      And that was our biggest qualm with Kudler. We left the interview feeling unsure of precisely what he stood for.
      Cast your vote for McDonough.

Give Weisenberg two more years

      We endorse Democrat Harvey Weisenberg for another term in the state Assembly.
      Weisenberg is big on doling out thousands in discretionary funds he receives annually, paying for materials and services as wide-ranging as firefighter equipment, adolescent health and library and arts programs. And he proudly points to the fact that during his nearly two decades in office, he has spearheaded or co-sponsored legislation that has resulted in more than 250 laws.
      Weisenberg's primary focus remains on fighting to secure financial aid to assist mentally and physically disabled children. We think that's a laudable mission and he deserves great praise for his accomplishments.
      We also urge him to work just as hard on lowering taxes by cutting spending, something Albany has been loath to do. Especially in these horrible economic times when the state's lower-than-anticipated sales tax revenue will no doubt further burden an already deficit-plagued state budget, spending must be cut. We want Weisenberg and the rest of the Assembly in which he serves to address that.
      Michael McGinty, Weisenberg's Republican challenger, has some important ideas that could certainly lead to some real change in Albany. But we're skeptical as to whether McGinty, a Nassau County financial analyst who is making his first run for political office, is the answer.
      He may be right to call the Assembly "dysfunctional" and accuse it of favoring New York City. We like the idea that McGinty would look to rein in school property taxes, relax the state's gas tax until the economy turns around and, most important, cut spending. He seems to understand that tax cuts without spending cuts are, in the long run, ultimately ineffective.
      We think McGinty is a good man and we encourage him to continue to compete in the political arena.
      But we think Weisenberg serves the interests of his district well and we know his heart is in the best of places. We endorse his reelection.

Keep Alfano in 21st Assembly District

      When it comes to fundamental economic issues, Republican incumbent Tom Alfano and Democratic challenger Alan Smilowitz agree on a lot: The state budget deficit needs to be dealt with, property taxes are too high, and the state should send more money to school districts.
      Residents of the 21st Assembly District have been represented by Alfano since 1996, and we believe that they have been very well served. Alfano clearly has the best interests of his district in mind. The Franklin Square, Elmont, North Valley Stream and West Hempstead communities are lucky to have someone who cares about hometown issues and fights to improve the quality of life not only of his constituents, but of residents across the state.
      One of Alfano's greatest concerns in recent times has been the revitalization of Belmont Park. He believes, as we do, that the racetrack must start making a positive economic contribution to the community rather than just taking up real estate in Elmont. Alfano wants something to happen sooner rather than later, and is pushing for a project that will create both temporary construction jobs and permanent jobs. As for the specifics of what a redevelopment project should entail, he wants those ideas to come from community members.
      Alfano hosts numerous events -- including the Fantastic Four basketball tournament, a summer soccer clinic and the Women of Distinction awards -- that benefit many people in the community. He is also a friend of education, successfully fighting every year to bring home more state aid for his school districts, which include Franklin Square, Elmont, Sewanhaka, Valley Stream 13, the Valley Stream Central High School District and West Hempstead. He has invited thousands of children from those districts to visit Albany and learn about state government.
      This is Alan Smilowitz's first run for public office, and we believe he would be committed to the job and also do right for the people of the district. A resident of West Hempstead and an attorney, Smilowitz understands the serious economic issues facing New Yorkers, and specifically the residents of the 21st District.
      But Alfano is a proven leader, with a record of success and unquestioned dedication to his constituents. We urge voters to return him to the Assembly.