Republicans, Democrats pick candidates for Nassau, Suffolk races

Suffolk Democrats are headed for a primary in New York’s 1st Congressional District, Nassau Democrats are hoping to avert one in the 4th and Republicans are looking for a challenger for Democrat Tom Suozzi in the 3rd, according to new candidate lists released by the parties.

The Nassau and Suffolk GOP held nominating conventions over the past two weeks, announcing their slates for races for Congress, the state Senate and Assembly and local judgeships. Nassau and Suffolk Democrats are not holding conventions. In Nassau, committee members are being encouraged to collect petitions by the April 4 deadline to help party candidates qualify for the ballot.

In Nassau, Democratic primaries are expected in at least two  state Senate races. In the 6th District, Nassau Legis. Siela Bynoe (D-Westbury), Assemb. Taylor Darling (D-Hempstead) and Carmen J. Piñeyro, a former Freeport deputy village mayor, are vying to succeed State Sen. Kevin Thomas (D-Levittown). Republicans have not named a candidate in the race.

In the 7th District, where State Sen. Jack Martins (R-Old Westbury) is the incumbent, three Democrats have filed to run: former Nassau Legis. Josh Lafazan of Woodbury; Kim Keiserman, a Port Washington resident who heads the local Democratic club; and Brad Schwartz, a television producer and editor from Roslyn.

In Suffolk, the parties are focused on the 1st Assembly District, as 30-year incumbent Fred Thiele Jr. (D-Sag Harbor) prepares to retire. Southampton Town Councilman Tommy John Schiavoni, a Democrat, will face Shelter Island Town Attorney Stephen Kiely, a Republican.

Suffolk Republicans announced their candidates during their Feb. 21 convention at the Elks Lodge in Smithtown. Suffolk Democrats provided a list of their candidates.

In the 1st Congressional District Democratic primary, former CNN political analyst John Avlon will face off against Nancy Goroff, a former Stony Brook University chemistry department chair who ran unsuccessfully for the seat in 2020. The winner will run against Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Amityville), who is seeking a second term.

Last week, the Democratic field in the race narrowed from five candidates to two.

Former State Sen. James Gaughran (D-Northport) dropped out Tuesday after the State Legislature approved new district lines. Democrats Kyle Hill and Craig Herskowitz also suspended their campaigns.

Nassau Republicans named their candidates at their convention Monday at Levittown Hall in Hicksville. In the 4th Congressional District, freshman Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-Island Park) could face a rematch with former Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen, the Democratic nominee in 2022. Thomas dropped out of the race on Thursday as party leaders sought to clear the field for Gillen. Three other Democrats have filed for the seat: former Nassau Legis. David Denenberg of Merrick, Patricia Maher of Baldwin and Gian Jones of Woodmere.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) swore in Suozzi on Wednesday to serve out the rest of expelled former Congressman George Santos' term, which expires Dec. 31. Suozzi, who defeated Republican Mazi Melesa Pilip in the Feb. 13 special election, is running for a full term in November.

In the 2nd District, which includes portions of both counties, Democrats selected Rob Lubin to challenge Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport), who is running for a third term.

Primary races are set for June 25 and the general election is Nov. 5.

With Scott Eidler

By Vera Chinese

vera.chinese@newsday.com@VeraChinese

Vera Chinese covers Suffolk County government and politics. She joined Newsday in 2017 after working as an editor for the East End lifestyle publication northforker and a general assignment reporter for the New York Daily News.