Arnold Drucker wins fifth term to represent Nassau's 16th legislative district

Longtime Legis. Arnold Drucker (D-Plainview) won his bid for a fifth term. 

Drucker, 68, an attorney, faced a challenge from Republican candidate Jennifer Gallub-Pravato in a hotly contested race to represent the 16th legislative district, which stretches across Jericho, to southern Woodbury and down to Plainview, Old Bethpage and the northern edge of Farmingdale.

The issue of property taxes and public safety were among the top issues for both campaigns.

But questions about whether Gallub-Pravato met the residency requirement to run for office emerged as a focal point during the race after Newsday reported in September the first-time candidate rented a walk-up apartment in Farmingdale above a barber shop and Mexican restaurant while retaining the five-bedroom house in Massapequa. The space, which was defined on the county tax rolls as a storage unit or "support space" has been given a special designation by the Farmingdale buildings department.    

Gallub-Pravato, 58, is the wife of Town of Oyster Bay Receiver of Taxes Jeff Pravato, who is registered to vote at the Massapequa house where the couple raised their four children. He is a former Massapequa Park mayor.

Gallub-Pravato changed her voter registration to the walk-up on Main Street in Farmingdale and in statements to Newsday said it was her primary residence. After the Nassau GOP announced she was the pick to challenge Drucker the couple told a local weekly they would be selling their house and downsizing.    

Drucker filed a complaint with the state attorney general's office, which launched an investigation. He also filed a cease-and-desist letter with the Gallub-Pravato campaign demanding ads tying him to the policies of Democratic New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani stop.

By Candice Ferrette

candice.ferrette@newsday.comcandiceferrette

Candice Ferrette covers Nassau County government and politics on Long Island. She has been a reporter at Newsday since 2011.