Taylor R. Raynor, 18th State Assembly District 

Taylor R. Raynor

Democratic

BACKGROUND: Raynor, 34, of Hempstead, is also running on the Reform, Women's Equality and Working Families party lines. Raynor defeated longtime state Assemb. Earlene Hooper for the Democratic nomination in the 18th State Assembly District. She graduated from Uniondale High School and received a bachelor’s degree in psychology and creative writing from Spelman College in Atlanta. She also received a master’s degree in industrial organizational psychology from Hofstra University. She works as a private consultant psychologist. She is a member of the NAACP and is the issues chairwoman for the Hempstead Democratic Party.

ISSUES: Raynor said she is running on a platform of transparency to restore open communication between elected representatives and the community. She wants to increase awareness in the community about resources for voters. Raynor said she wants to improve quality-of-life issues and code enforcement, such as road improvements and ridding the community of zombie houses. She called the educational system throughout the 18th Assembly District “abysmal, disturbing or on the decline,” and said the community needs more resources for physical and mental health. Raynor said she will fight to retain state dollars from Albany in local communities and said senior citizens should be able to retire and keep their homes in Nassau County.

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.