James F. Gaughran, State Senator District 5
Jim Gaughran
Democratic
BACKGROUND
*Gaughran, 63, of Northport, a former chairman of the Suffolk County Water Authority, is seeking his second term in office.
*He won his first term in 2018 after defeating long-term incumbent Sen. Carl Marcellino.
*He graduated from Stony Brook University and Hofstra Law School.
ISSUES
*The major issue: "how do we rebuild New York’s economy back" in the COVID-19 era.
*He’s also working to find new sources of revenue for public schools amid declining tax revenues.
*He’s introduced legislation to increase penalties for attacks against police and first responders, but is also working on "improving community relations" including anti-gang programs.
* "We need to be more aggressive in protecting customers of LIPA, PSEG and the MTA," while expanding public water for customers now served by New York American Water.
Mark Harrington, a Newsday reporter since 1999, covers energy, wineries, Indian affairs and fisheries.
'That's a shame' Port Jefferson and Amityville are dropping their varsity football programs for the 2026 season. Newsday's High School Sports Editor Gregg Sarra reports.
'That's a shame' Port Jefferson and Amityville are dropping their varsity football programs for the 2026 season. Newsday's High School Sports Editor Gregg Sarra reports.
