Make the Road Action endorses Democratic candidates on LI

A political advocacy group representing Long Island’s Latino communities has endorsed Democrats in a range of competitive local congressional and state legislative races.

Make the Road Action, the political action arm of the 19,000-member Make the Road New York organization, said in a statement that it will back incumbent Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-Garden City) in Nassau County’s 4th Congressional District, Democrat Thomas Suozzi in the open 3rd Congressional District — which covers parts of northern Suffolk, Nassau and Queens — and Democratic challenger Anna Throne-Holst in the 1st Congressional District in Suffolk’s East End.

It also endorsed State Sen. Todd Kaminsky (D-Long Beach), as he seeks to retain the 9th District seat that he won in a special election in April; Democrat Adam Haber, who is seeking the open 7th Senate District seat in northwestern Nassau, and Democratic challengers Ryan Cronin in central Nassau’s 6th Senate District and James Gaughran in the 5th Senate District, which covers portions of Nassau and Suffolk.

In state Assembly Democratic primary races, the group is backing Long Beach City Councilman Anthony Eramo for the open 20th District seat covering southwestern Nassau and Assemb. Phil Ramos (D-Brentwood), who is facing a primary challenge for his 6th District seat in the Town of Islip.

“These federal and state candidates have demonstrated their commitment to protecting workers’ rights, expanding access to education, immigrant empowerment and integration, and reforming our political system so that all people’s voices are heard,” Marlenis de los Santos, a Make the Road Action member, said in a statement.

Make the Road Action, which is a vocal opponent of Republican Donald Trump’s presidential bid, has typically backed Democratic candidates on Long Island.

“Nassau County is ground zero for the fight to take the majority in the State Senate, so we’ll take whatever help they can give us,” said Nassau Democratic chairman Jay Jacobs.

Nassau GOP chairman Joseph Mondello declined to comment through a spokesman.

By Paul LaRocco

paul.larocco@newsday.com@paullarocco

Paul LaRocco is a reporter on the investigations desk. Since starting at Newsday in late 2010, he has also covered Nassau and Suffolk county politics and government and the Town of Oyster Bay.