After 25 years, Assemb. Weisenberg won't seek re-election

ALBANY -- Assemb. Harvey Weisenberg, one of the State Legislature's most outspoken voices for the disabled, announced Monday he won't seek re-election this fall.

Weisenberg (D-Long Beach) said he will finish his term, which expires Dec. 31, giving him nearly 26 full years in the state Assembly. The 80-year-old lawmaker said he wants to spend time with his family.

"There comes a time in life where you -- what are your priorities?" Weisenberg said in an interview. "My priorities are to be with my family and give them all the attention I can."

His wife, Ellen, recently broke her hip. His son, Ricky, 55, is mentally disabled, has cerebral palsy and can't speak, and resides in a Plainview facility.

"He hasn't had many happy days in his life and I want to give him as many happy days as I can," Weisenberg said.

Weisenberg, first was elected in a special election in February 1989, said he has secured passage of more than 300 bills. He is most often identified as an advocate for children and adults with disabilities.

In 2013, Weisenberg led a successful campaign by rank-and-file lawmakers to reverse a cut of about $90 million in state funding for the developmentally disabled that Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and legislative leaders initially approved. Weisenberg also has been vocal about exposing abuse in facilities for the disabled.

"My goal was to put a face on our special people," he said, as he often refers to the developmentally disabled.

He once filed suit alleging that his son was abused at the Plainview facility; it was settled last year for $120,000.

Weisenberg said he also was proud of fighting to protect Long Island's aquifer, helping to pass a bill to require schools to keep defibrillators on hand and pushing to enact tougher drunken driving laws.

Weisenberg still works as a local lifeguard, and said he still hopes lawmakers will enact a law to require sunscreen products to carry expiration dates.

He said he's trying to advance the bill before the legislative session ends on June 19.

"I have much to accomplish between now and the end of my term," he said.

Weisenberg's district covers Nassau County's southwest corner. It has 38,510 registered Democrats and 31,093 Republicans.

In 2012, Weisenberg defeated Republican David J. Sussman, 55 percent to 45 percent.

Democrats said potential candidates for Weisenberg's seat include Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Kaminsky, Long Beach City Councilman Anthony Eramo and county Legis. Denise Ford, a registered Democrat who caucuses with Republicans.

Nassau Republican spokesman Anthony Santino declined to comment, saying it was too early to speculate on candidates.