Long Island

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Suffolk County voters go to the polls Tuesday in hotly contested races for <a href="/topics//U.S._Congress">Congress</a>, State <a href="/topics//U.S._Senate">Senate</a> and Assembly. 
 Five-term Rep. <a href="/topics//Tim_Bishop">Tim Bishop</a> (D-Southampton) will square off with <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">GOP</a> businessman <a href="/topics//Randy_Altschuler">Randy Altschuler</a> of <a href="/topics//St._James,_NY">St. James</a> for the 1st Congressional District seat in the county's most closely watched race. 
 In 2010, Altschuler lost to Bishop by just 593 out of more than 200,000 votes cast. There are roughly 3,000 more registered <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republican</a> voters in the district than <a href="/topics//U.S._Democratic_Party">Democrats</a>. 
 Countywide, there are 299,139 registered <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republicans</a>, 292,008 <a href="/topics//U.S._Democratic_Party">Democrats</a> and 228,174 voters listing no party affiliation, according to the Suffolk Board of Elections. 
 In other races, <a href="/topics//Barack_Obama">President Barack Obama</a> is expected to win <a href="/topics//New_York_(state)">New York</a> and its 29 electoral votes, while polls show U.S. Sen. <a href="/topics//Kirsten_Gillibrand">Kirsten Gillibrand</a> with a significant lead over <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republican</a> opponent Wendy Long. 
 Rep. <a href="/topics//Steve_Israel">Steve Israel</a> (D-Huntington) faces <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">GOP</a> opponent Stephen Labate of <a href="/topics//Deer_Park,_NY">Deer Park</a> in the 3rd District, while Rep. <a href="/topics//Peter_King">Peter King</a> (R-Seaford), whose redrawn 2nd District is 75 percent in Suffolk, is running against Vivianne Falcone, a Democratic committeewoman and former teacher from West Islip. 
 Both major parties say they have high expectations for two open state legislative seats, one in the <a href="/topics//U.S._Senate">Senate</a> and the other in the Assembly. 
 In the 4th <a href="/topics//U.S._Senate">Senate</a> District, Assemb. Philip Boyle (R-Bay Shore) will face Suffolk Legis. Rick Montano (D-Brentwood) to replace <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republican</a> Sen. Owen Johnson, who is retiring. 
 In the 10th Assembly District, Republican Chad Lupinacci of <a href="/topics//Huntington_Station,_NY">Huntington Station</a> will take on <a href="/topics//U.S._Democratic_Party">Democrat</a> Joe Dujmic, also of <a href="/topics//Huntington_Station,_NY">Huntington Station</a>, to succeed the late James Conte. 
 Suffolk Democratic chairman Richard Schaffer also is eyeing Boyle's open Assembly seat in the 7th District. <a href="/topics//U.S._Democratic_Party">Democrat</a> Christopher Bodkin of West Sayville will challenge Republican Andrew Garbarino of Sayville for the seat. 
 Suffolk County <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">GOP</a> chairman John Jay LaValle said he anticipates that Republican Deborah McKee of Mount Sinai will run competitively in a rematch of the 2010 race for the 4th Assembly District against veteran Assemb. Steven Englebright (D-Setauket). 
 But, LaValle concedes that <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republicans</a> are focused more on retaining their existing seats than on winning new ones.

Suffolk

VGOVERSUFFOLK

In Suffolk, all eyes on Bishop-Altschuler rematch

Bishop Altschuler CROP

Nassau County <a href="/topics//U.S._Democratic_Party">Democrats</a> enter the general election on Tuesday with their largest statistical advantage in voter enrollment in at least a century, but the numbers might make little difference in determining some of the ballot's biggest races. 
<a href="/topics//Barack_Obama">President Barack Obama</a> is widely expected to win <a href="/topics//New_York_(state)">New York</a> and its 29 electoral votes, while polls have first-term U.S. Sen. <a href="/topics//Kirsten_Gillibrand">Kirsten Gillibrand</a> significantly ahead of her <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republican</a> opponent, Wendy Long.
Meanwhile, all four members of <a href="/topics//U.S._Congress">Congress</a> with districts that cover at least a part of Nassau -- Democrats <a href="/topics//Carolyn_McCarthy">Carolyn McCarthy</a> of <a href="/topics//Mineola,_NY">Mineola</a>, <a href="/topics//Gregory_W._Meeks">Gregory Meeks</a> of St. Albans and <a href="/topics//Steve_Israel">Steve Israel</a> of Huntington, and Republican <a href="/topics//Peter_King">Peter King</a> of <a href="/topics//Seaford,_NY">Seaford</a> -- are longtime incumbents with significant fundraising advantages over their challengers.
Both parties say a handful of State <a href="/topics//U.S._Senate">Senate</a> and Assembly seats could be competitive. <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republicans</a>, who hold all of the county's state Senate seats, say they are eyeing the 20th Assembly District, where Democratic incumbent Harvey Weisenberg of Long Beach is being challenged by David Sussman of Lawrence, a urologist and past president of the Lawrence school board. 
The <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">GOP</a> also is focusing on the 13th Assembly District in which Republican Louis Imbroto of Plainview, co-chairman of the Nassau County Youth Cabinet, is challenging Democratic Assemb. Charles Lavine of Glen Cove. Democrats lead in voter enrollment in both districts.
County <a href="/topics//U.S._Democratic_Party">Democratic Party</a> chairman Jay Jacobs is hoping for an upset in the 6th State Senate District, where attorney Ryan Cronin of <a href="/topics//Garden_City,_NY">Garden City</a>, is challenging incumbent Republican Kemp Hannon of Garden City, who has held the seat for more than two decades. Republicans have a slight enrollment advantage in the district but 20 percent of voters are unaffiliated.
Democrats also are focusing on the new 22nd Assembly seat in the western part of the county, created by redistricting following the 2010 Census. <a href="/topics//U.S._Democratic_Party">Democrat</a> Michaelle Solages, a librarian from Elmont whose brother, Carrié, is a Nassau County legislator, is facing Sean Wright of Valley Stream, a deputy attorney for the Town of Hempstead. The district leans Democratic. 
Republicans have a 33-29 majority in the State Senate while Democrats have a 51-seat advantage in the Assembly.
Countywide, there are 351,456 registered Democrats; 322,845 Republicans, according to the Board of Elections, with 198,453 registered with no party affiliation.

Nassau

VGOVERNASSAU

Nassau Dems have voter enrollment edge

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<a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republicans</a> are looking to maintain control of the State Senate by sweeping all nine races on <a href="/topics//Long_Island,_NY">Long Island</a>, while <a href="/topics//U.S._Democratic_Party">Democrats</a> are selectively targeting contests for Election Day. 
 The <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">GOP</a> currently holds a 33-29 edge in the Senate, thanks in large part to winning every Island seat in 2010 and knocking off two incumbent <a href="/topics//U.S._Democratic_Party">Democrats</a> in the process. The <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">GOP</a> believes it's well-positioned to sweep the Island again. 
 "A <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republican</a> Senate has been good for <a href="/topics//Long_Island,_NY">Long Island</a>, and we feel very strongly that we're going to maintain all nine seats," said Scott Reif, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader <a href="/topics//Dean_Skelos">Dean Skelos</a> (R-<a href="/topics//Rockville_Centre,_NY">Rockville Centre</a>). 
 Democrats have set their sights a bit lower: They want to pick off one district in <a href="/topics//Nassau_County,_NY">Nassau</a> County and one in <a href="/topics//Suffolk_County,_NY">Suffolk</a> County as part of their statewide game plan to regain Senate control. Democratic spokesman <a href="/topics//Mike_Murphy">Mike Murphy</a> said that "Senate <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republicans</a> have moved far to the right, away from the average New Yorker" and that more voters prefer Democrats to run the chamber. 
 In <a href="/topics//Suffolk_County,_NY">Suffolk</a>'s most highly watched Senate race, Assemb. Philip Boyle (R-<a href="/topics//Bay_Shore,_NY">Bay Shore</a>) faces Democratic county Legis. Rick Montano of <a href="/topics//Brentwood,_NY">Brentwood</a> to succeed retiring <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republican</a> state Sen. <a href="/topics//Owen_Johnson">Owen Johnson</a>. 
 Boyle says the state is "on the right track" since a Republican-led Senate helped Gov. <a href="/topics//Andrew_Cuomo">Andrew M. Cuomo</a> cut state spending, enacted a property-tax cap and partially rolled back the unpopular <a href="/topics//MTA">MTA</a> payroll tax. He also says Long Island schools will lose out on state education aid if a New York City-centric Democratic conference takes over the chamber. 
 Montano says that he, too, will fight for school aid and that Republicans are blocking bills to strengthen <a href="/topics//Gun_Control">gun control</a> and raise the minimum wage. 
 In <a href="/topics//Nassau_County,_NY">Nassau</a> County, the most visible race pits state Sen. <a href="/topics//Kemp_Hannon">Kemp Hannon</a> (R-Garden City), a 12-year incumbent, against newcomer Ryan Cronin, a <a href="/topics//U.S._Democratic_Party">Democrat</a>. Hannon easily beat a <a href="/topics//U.S._Democratic_Party">Democrat</a> in 2010, a big year for the GOP, but had a narrower margin of victory in 2008 -- a presidential election year like this one. Democrats are hoping a strong turnout will help Cronin. 
 Hannon and Cronin have campaigned on the same issues as Boyle and Montano. But in this race, NARAL Pro-Choice New York has strongly worked for the Democrat. NARAL has sent out several mailers in the district supporting Cronin as pro-abortion rights. It's also recently come out with radio ads bashing Hannon, chairman of the Senate Health Committee. 
 At the eastern end of Suffolk County, Democrat Bridget Fleming of Southampton has raised about $150,000 -- a figure many challengers don't reach -- in her efforts against state Sen. Kenneth LaValle (R-Port Jefferson). But Republicans say they're confident LaValle will prevail. 
 In other races, Lee Zeldin and Jack Martins, the Island's two rookie GOP state senators, were once expected to face strong challenges, but that never materialized. Democrats have selected unknown challengers, with Francis Genco facing Zeldin and Daniel C. Ross taking on Martins. 
 Ross has reported raising little money besides a $75,000 loan from himself to his campaign. Genco hasn't reported raising any funds. Zeldin has concentrated on launching a new political-action committee to help first-time Republican candidates throughout the state.

POSENA01

NY Senate races to decide who'll win majority

State Senate - Cropped

Dozens of judgeships for spots on the State Supreme Court and other courts on Long Island are up for election Tuesday.
While the races span the range of courts serving <a href="/topics//Nassau_County,_NY">Nassau</a> and <a href="/topics//Suffolk_County,_NY">Suffolk</a> counties, including County Court and Family Court, the Supreme Court contests typically get the most attention.
This year, 12 candidates are seeking six Supreme Court seats. Justices are elected from a district that covers <a href="/topics//Nassau_County,_NY">Nassau</a> and <a href="/topics//Suffolk_County,_NY">Suffolk</a> counties. The judges have 14-year terms and primarily hear civil cases, although some preside over criminal courtrooms and others serve in the Appellate Division.
Three justices are running for re-election, and all of them now serve on the Appellate Division. They are <a href="/topics//U.S._Democratic_Party">Democrat</a> Leonard Austin and <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republicans</a> Peter Skelos and James Catterson. All were first elected to this court in 1998. Skelos is the brother of State <a href="/topics//U.S._Senate">Senate</a> Majority Leader <a href="/topics//Dean_Skelos">Dean Skelos</a> (R-<a href="/topics//Rockville_Centre,_NY">Rockville Centre</a>) and Catterson is the son of the late James Catterson Jr., a former Nassau County attorney and Suffolk district attorney.
Others running on the <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republican</a> and Conservative lines are Joy Watson, a former Nassau homicide prosecutor and now a deputy Nassau County comptroller; Rudolph <a href="/topics//Cartier">Cartier</a>, an attorney from <a href="/topics//Mount_Sinai,_NY">Mount Sinai</a>; Christopher Quinn, a Nassau County Court judge who oversees the county's District Court, and Gary Weber, a longtime Suffolk County Court judge.
Others running on the Democratic and Working Families lines are John Leo, the Huntington Town attorney; Richard Ambro, a former Suffolk County Court judge who is law secretary to Suffolk's administrative judge; Leonard Steinman, a member of the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, the county's fiscal control board; Sondra Pardes, a Nassau District Court judge, and Hope Zimmerman, a Nassau Family Court judge who supervises the county's divorce courts.
The Independence Party has endorsed Leo, Austin, Ambro, Steinman, Pardes and Skelos.

POJUDG01

Long Island judicial races heat up

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Nassau County <a href="/topics//U.S._Democratic_Party">Democrats</a> have an opportunity on Election Day to widen their 51-seat margin in the State Assembly by picking up a newly created seat in <a href="/topics//Elmont,_NY">Elmont</a>, while <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">GOP</a> candidates across the county are pressing upstart campaigns against incumbent lawmakers. 
 In one of the county's most highly watched races, <a href="/topics//U.S._Democratic_Party">Democrat</a> Michaelle Solages, of <a href="/topics//Elmont,_NY">Elmont</a>, a librarian at <a href="/topics//Hofstra_University">Hofstra University</a>, is challenging <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">GOP</a> candidate Sean Wright, a deputy attorney for the Town of <a href="/topics//Hempstead,_NY">Hempstead</a>, in the new 22nd District, created in the decennial reapportionment. 
 The district, which is heavily Democratic in registration, includes Elmont, North <a href="/topics//Woodmere,_NY">Woodmere</a>, <a href="/topics//Valley_Stream,_NY">Valley Stream</a>, Bellerose, <a href="/topics//South_Floral_Park,_NY">South Floral Park</a> and parts of <a href="/topics//Franklin_Square,_NY">Franklin Square</a> and <a href="/topics//Floral_Park,_NY">Floral Park</a>. 
 The candidates, neither of whom have previously run for public office, are focused on developing Belmont Park. 
 Solages, 27, whose brother, Carrié, is a first-term Nassau legislator, would support development that would "<a href="/topics//Benefit_(designer)">benefit</a> the neighboring communities with jobs and revenue without sacrificing the quality of life." 
 Wright, 43, of North <a href="/topics//Valley_Stream,_NY">Valley Stream</a>, has suggested transforming Belmont into a walkable mall or a soccer stadium, but has said he would first consult with "the best and brightest minds to [find out] what is viable." 
 GOP officials are pinning their best hopes for an upset in the 20th District in <a href="/topics//Long_Beach,_NY">Long Beach</a>, where Democratic Assemb. <a href="/topics//Harvey_Weisenberg">Harvey Weisenberg</a>, 78, who has been in office since 1989, is facing <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republican</a> David Sussman, 62, a member of the Lawrence school district board since 1995. 
 Weisenberg, a lifelong <a href="/topics//Long_Beach,_NY">Long Beach</a> resident, argues that he has the ability to work across the aisle to get legislation passed. "I am one of the few legislators in the State of New York that functions on a bipartisan basis," he said. 
 Sussman, a Lawrence resident who works as a urologist, is campaigning to lower taxes and attract businesses to Nassau. "We have to create a business-friendly climate," he said. 
 <a href="/topics//U.S._Democratic_Party">Democrats</a>, meanwhile, are eyeing an upset in the redrawn 19th District. <a href="/topics//U.S._Democratic_Party">Democrat</a> Gary Port, a divorce attorney who ran an unsuccessful campaign last year for <a href="/topics//Hempstead,_NY">Hempstead</a> Town supervisor, is challenging <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republican</a> Edward Ra, who is seeking a second term. 
 Ra, 30, of <a href="/topics//Franklin_Square,_NY">Franklin Square</a>, said he's played a role in helping to get the state's budget woes under control. "I've been part of a finely functioning state government that has finally stopped spending more than we had," Ra said. 
 But Port, 50 of West Hempstead, said <a href="/topics//Long_Island,_NY">Long Island</a> has not been well served by the State Legislature, including by members of his own party. 
 "I'm concerned that the Democrats in the Assembly care more about the five boroughs than they do about the two counties," Port said. "Everyone here on <a href="/topics//Long_Island,_NY">Long Island</a> feels like we're the redheaded stepchildren." 
 With Patrick Whittle 
 and Aisha Al-Muslim 
 &nbsp; 
 &nbsp; 
<h3> Local contests</h3> 
 &nbsp; 
 Following are the State Assembly races in Nassau: 
 District 9 -- Assemb. Joseph S. Saladino (R,I,C,TRP); Jay S. Cherlin (D) 
 District 13 -- Assemb. Charles D. Lavine (D,I,WF); Louis Imbroto (R,C); Jeffrey J. Peress (Green) 
 District 14 -- Assemb. David G. McDonough (R,I,C,TRP); John E. Brooks (D,WF) 
 District 15 -- Assemb. Michael A. Montesano (R,I,C,TRP); Mario Ferone (D) 
 District 16 -- Assemb. Michelle Schimel (D,I,WF); Richard E. Stiek (R,C) 
 District 17 -- Assemb. Thomas McKevitt (R,I,C,TRP); Kevin C. Brady (D,WF) 
 District 18 -- Assemb. Earlene Hooper (D,I,); Elton E. McCabe (R,C) 
 District 19 -- Assemb. Edward P. Ra (R,I,C,TRP); Gary Port (D) 
 District 20 -- Assemb. <a href="/topics//Harvey_Weisenberg">Harvey Weisenberg</a> (D,I,WF); David J. Sussman (R,C,TRP) 
 District 21 -- Assemb. Brian F. Curran (R,I,C,TRP); Jeffrey S. Friedman (D,WF) 
 District 22 -- Michaelle C. Solages (D,WF); Sean Wright (R,I,C, TRP)

News

PONASS30

Spotlight on Assembly races in Nassau

vote here file cropped

A packed crowd of 450 <a href="/topics//Islip,_NY">Islip</a> <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republicans</a> gave a rousing welcome last week to a newcomer to their townwide ticket -- veteran Rep. Peter <a href="/topics//Peter_King">King</a>. 
 "Sometimes we <a href="/topics//Islip,_NY">Islip</a> <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republicans</a> get lucky," joked <a href="/topics//Islip,_NY">Islip</a> <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">GOP</a> chairman Frank Tantone. "We now have a new <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republican</a> congressman without even having to a run a race." 
 Tantone was referring to the dramatic eastward shift of <a href="/topics//Peter_King">King</a>'s district last spring in the decennial reapportionment. This district now is 75 percent in <a href="/topics//Suffolk_County,_NY">Suffolk</a>, whereas the old district was 80 percent in <a href="/topics//Nassau_County,_NY">Nassau</a>. It also means that <a href="/topics//Peter_King">King</a> of <a href="/topics//Seaford,_NY">Seaford</a> for the first time is running in a district where more than 50 percent of the population never has had a chance to vote for him. 
 King, at the podium, told the audience at the fundraiser that he has run in parts of <a href="/topics//Islip,_NY">Islip</a> in the past. He added: "I can't tell you how happy I am to be running in the whole town," since local <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republicans</a> have rebuilt the <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">GOP</a> organization. After his speech, guests lined up to have photos taken with <a href="/topics//Peter_King">King</a>, who leaned into the camera each time with a big smile. 
 King, 68, started his political career as a <a href="/topics//Hempstead,_NY">Hempstead</a> Town board member and served as <a href="/topics//Nassau_County,_NY">Nassau</a> County comptroller for three terms before winning election to <a href="/topics//U.S._Congress">Congress</a> in 1992. 
 Born in Manhattan, King was raised in <a href="/topics//Sunnyside,_NY">Sunnyside</a>, Queens. His father, an NYPD academy instructor, trained <a href="/topics//Ray_Kelly">Ray Kelly</a>, now the police commissioner. 
 &nbsp; 
 Known for outspoken style 
 King graduated from <a href="/topics//St._Francis_College">St. Francis College</a>, Brooklyn, and Notre Dame Law School. He interned with <a href="/topics//Rudy_Giuliani">Rudy Giuliani</a> at the <a href="/topics//Wall_Street">Wall Street</a> firm of Mudge Rose Guthrie Alexander &amp; Ferdon, which launched the late president <a href="/topics//Richard_Nixon">Richard Nixon</a>'s legal career. 
 In his political career, King has been known for his blunt outspoken style and controversial stances that sometimes confound even allies. 
 He was one of few <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republicans</a> to vote against the impeachment of Democratic President Bill Clinton. He also opposed the censure of Rep. Charles <a href="/topics//Charles_Rangel">Rangel</a> (D-Manhattan) as too severe, even though King said he disagreed with Rangel "on virtually every issue." 
 King won praise for working to seek peace in Northern Ireland. He also held controversial hearings into the threat of domestic terrorism, although Muslim groups accused him of focusing on them to the exclusion of other groups. King maintained he was only trying to guard against an overlooked danger. 
 <a href="/topics//Nassau_County,_NY">Nassau</a> <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">GOP</a> chairman Joseph Mondello, said King has "a mind of his own. He pretty much keeps his own counsel . . . he's not a follower." 
 <a href="/topics//Suffolk_County,_NY">Suffolk</a> <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republican</a> officials say that while King may be best known in his home county, he also is well known in Islip and <a href="/topics//Babylon,_NY">Babylon</a> because of his high-profile role as chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, and his frequent appearances on Fox News, CNN and other news media outlets. Since Sept. 1, King has made 67 radio and TV appearances, aides said. They estimated that over a year's time he made more than 500 guest appearances. 
 "There's no question it helps me as far as name ID," said King. But he also noted that he has represented parts of <a href="/topics//Suffolk_County,_NY">Suffolk</a> as far east as Great River for the past decade and often appeared at local events in areas that are part of his new district. "There's a lot of overlap so it's not entirely new," he said. 
 The new district is about 30 percent African-American and Latino, after King picked up minority areas including North Amityville, Wyandanch and Brentwood; his old district had only a 2 percent minority population. The district, which stretches from Islip to the <a href="/topics//Hempstead,_NY">Hempstead</a> Town line, has 153,360 registered Republicans and 144,197 Democrats. In the <a href="/topics//Suffolk_County,_NY">Suffolk</a> portion, Democratic voters outnumber Republicans 107,902 to 92,955. 
 &nbsp; 
 Meets with black pastors 
 King said he is reaching out to his new constituents. 
 He recently held a two-hour meeting with 35 black pastors from throughout <a href="/topics//Babylon,_NY">Babylon</a>, who have been represented by Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington). 
 King said the meeting was cordial, though he conceded there were some "candid" exchanges, particularly about his calling for the firing of UN Ambassador Susan Rice, an African-American, for initially saying that the deadly Sept. 11 assault on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, was spontaneous. King said he told the ministers that his stand had nothing to do with race, but that mistakes were made and someone in the administration should be held accountable. 
 "Some tough questions were asked," said the Rev. Robert Lloyd of Freedom Chapel in Amityville. "But Congressman King handled himself pretty well. I think a number of ministers were surprised because many of his answers were very bipartisan." 
 "He told us he'll be representing everyone, and [that] we won't hurt his feelings if we tell him what's on our minds," said the Rev. Roy Kirton, pastor of the Circle of Love Mission in Copiague.

POKING29

2nd district: Peter King campaigns in redrawn district

poking24 -- cropped

Every time Vivianne Falcone ran into <a href="/topics//Suffolk_County,_NY">Suffolk</a> Democratic chairman Richard Schaffer late last year, she hammered home the message that <a href="/topics//U.S._Democratic_Party">Democrats</a> had to find a "substantial candidate" to run this year against veteran Rep. <a href="/topics//Peter_King">Peter King</a> (R-<a href="/topics//Seaford,_NY">Seaford</a>), Schaffer recalled. 
 This spring, Schaffer tapped Falcone herself to make the race, even though she had never run for office before. 
 "It was one of those things where if no one else wanted to run, I'd do it," she recalled. "He [<a href="/topics//Peter_King">King</a>] should not run unopposed." 
 Schaffer said it was hard to find an incumbent official to run against the entrenched <a href="/topics//Peter_King">King</a> despite the district's significant eastward shift when new district lines were drawn late this spring. 
 "She doesn't come into this race with any illusions," said Schaffer. "She knew it would be a very tough race and I give her credit for putting together what she has," given that congressional bids often take two years to mount. 
 Falcone, 55, of <a href="/topics//West_Islip,_NY">West Islip</a> concedes the uphill battle, but says the district's increased minority population, coupled with a large turnout in the presidential race, could help her. 
 "It's as tough as any race could be," she said. "There's a learning curve. But we're plugging along meeting as many people and going to as many events as we can." 
 &nbsp; 
 Teacher for four years 
 Falcone was born and raised in Fairfield, <a href="/topics//Connecticut_College">Conn</a>., and moved to <a href="/topics//Long_Island,_NY">Long Island</a> 31 years ago with her husband. She taught for four years in the South Country and <a href="/topics//Levittown,_NY">Levittown</a> school districts and then became a full-time homemaker, raising a son and daughter. Falcone said that when her son and daughter were growing up, she was involved primarily in school and scouting programs. 
 But as the children got older, Falcone became more involved in local politics. She became a Democratic committee member five years ago and volunteered in <a href="/topics//U.S._Democratic_Party">Democrat</a> Phil Nolan's campaign for <a href="/topics//Islip,_NY">Islip</a> Town supervisor and in other races. She said she was named recently to a Chamber of Commerce committee to revitalize the <a href="/topics//West_Islip,_NY">West Islip</a> downtown. 
 "Vivianne and her husband got involved when a volunteer knocked on their door; it was that simple," said Ivan Young, who was <a href="/topics//Islip,_NY">Islip</a> Democratic chairman when she was first recruited. 
 Falcone not only became a committee member, but one of 15 town Democratic zone leaders, Young said. 
 "She's very energetic and wants to get things done," he said. "She's also very informed not only on local issues, but [on] national issues . . . she certainly presents a very stark contrast to King." 
 Falcone considers herself a "moderate," but says she is "100 percent opposite" from King on many issues, including <a href="/topics//Barack_Obama">President Barack Obama</a>'s health care overhaul, abortion rights and <a href="/topics//Same-sex_Marriage">same-sex marriage</a>, all of which King opposes. She supports the <a href="/topics//Lilly_M_Ledbetter">Lilly Ledbetter</a> Act, which lifted the statute of limitations on pay discrimination cases. 
 "I'm very strong on women's issues," Falcone said, "I'm a woman, I have a daughter and I feel very strongly about pay equity and a woman's right to choose." 
 She criticizes <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republicans</a> for going to <a href="/topics//Iraq_War">war in Iraq</a> and <a href="/topics//Afghanistan">Afghanistan</a>, and relying on borrowing to pay for it. "They've done a lot that doesn't help the middle class, like conducting two wars that were unfunded," Falcone said. 
 &nbsp; 
 No TV, radio or mail ads Falcone is running a shoe-leather campaign with no television, radio or direct-mail ads. She estimates that during the campaign she has personally knocked on more than 1,000 doors. 
 Falcone said that while she has received no financial help from national <a href="/topics//U.S._Democratic_Party">Democrats</a>, she has received some money from the local party, along with "boots on the ground" to help her campaign. 
 "Send out the word to everyone you meet that I'm serious," said Falcone. 
 Ernesto Mattace, Falcone's campaign manager, said her strongest asset is a willingness to learn. 
 "When she is out knocking on doors and gets a question she doesn't know, she comes back and finds the answer," Mattace said. "Then she gets back to people and they appreciate it." 
 At an NAACP candidates' night in Amityville, Falcone criticized King for not bringing enough federal aid and projects back to the state. She maintained, "We get 82 cents back for every dollar we pay in taxes," she said, noting that Kentucky representatives bring back $1.50 for every dollar in taxes. 
 Reaction appeared positive. "You've got a great story," said Lateiria Howard. However, Gene Burnett, a longtime local activist, questioned how hard Democrats are working to help Falcone unseat King, given the party's enrollment edge in the new <a href="/topics//Suffolk_County,_NY">Suffolk</a> part of the district. 
<h3> VIVIANNE FALCONE</h3> 
 &nbsp; 
 AGE: 55 
 HOME: West Islip 
 EDUCATION: Western <a href="/topics//Connecticut">Connecticut</a> State College, bachelor's degree in education 
 CAREER: Homemaker; taught for four years in the South Country and <a href="/topics//Levittown,_NY">Levittown</a> school districts 
 FAMILY: Married with a son and daughter 
 &nbsp; 
<h3> FUNDRAISING</h3> 
 &nbsp; 
 TOTAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS: $8,989 
 TOTAL SPENT: $3,850 
 DEBTS/LOANS: $0 
 CASH ON HAND: $5,143 
 Source: Federal Election Commission, as of Sept. 30

POFALC29

2nd district: Vivianne Falcone runs for office for 1st time

po3cd -- cropped

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) said her campaign will leave nothing to chance as she seeks to win her own six-year term in the Senate. 
 Though <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republican</a> contender Wendy Long is little known and has little money, Gillibrand has crisscrossed the state while running five TV ads in the past month as part of an $8 million reservation of air time. 
 Gillibrand campaigns on creating jobs, helping the middle class and advocating for those she calls the "voiceless" as she seeks to emerge from the shadow of Secretary of State <a href="/topics//Hillary_Rodham_Clinton">Hillary Rodham Clinton</a>, whose Senate term she's been finishing for the past four years. 
 "My record is really about making sure there is a voice for the voiceless, to make sure those that don't have advocacy groups are heard. And oftentimes that's women, it's minorities, it's LGBT Americans," Gillibrand said, naming key Democratic constituencies. 
 This year, she also has stepped up her role encouraging women to run for office, donating and raising more than $1 million for other candidates, the vast majority of them female. 
 "I want to make sure that the women's voice is heard in the electoral process and to change the fact that we only have 17 percent women in <a href="/topics//U.S._Congress">Congress</a>," she said. "That's not enough." 
 &nbsp; 
 Leading the polls 
 With the election just nine days away, polls show her goal to be re-elected appears to be within her grasp. 
 A Marist Poll released late Wednesday showed her leading Long 68 percent to 24 percent, and a Siena Poll released Friday showed Gillibrand up 67 percent to 24 percent. 
 "Gillibrand is the luckiest politician in <a href="/topics//New_York_(state)">New York</a>," said political strategist Hank Sheinkopf. 
 Not only did she get her seat through an appointment by Gov. <a href="/topics//David_A_Paterson">David A. Paterson</a> in 2009, but she has faced back-to-back challengers with little money or name recognition, he said. 
 A victory on Nov. 6 would make her a senator in her own right, ending the permanent campaign she has had to wage in the past six years. 
 And it would give her time to figure out "who she is" as a lawmaker after her much-criticized shift to the left when she moved to the Senate, Sheinkopf said. 
 She'd also have time to build relationships. Already, Gillibrand has been able to "create a lot of power" for herself by giving money to other candidates, he said. "You <a href="/topics//Benefit_(designer)">benefit</a> by helping others who believe like you do," he said. 
 Voters face stark choice 
 The race between Gillibrand and Long has been low key but really represents a stark choice. 
 Gillibrand has staked out a post on the liberal end of Senate <a href="/topics//U.S._Democratic_Party">Democrats</a>. Long would take her place among the most conservative <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republicans</a>. 
 In their only debate on Oct. 17 -- Gillibrand refused more -- they disagreed along party lines on taxes, spending and the role of government, and especially how to create jobs. 
 Gillibrand touts her record of helping pass the Zadroga 9/11 health bill, the end of the military's "<a href="/topics//Don't_ask,_don't_tell">don't ask, don't tell</a>" policy for gays and lesbians, and the <a href="/topics//Insider_Trading">STOCK Act</a> banning lawmakers from trading on nonpublic inside information. 
 She's for <a href="/topics//Same-sex_Marriage">same-sex marriage</a> and charges the <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">GOP</a> is waging a "war on women" with attacks on abortion, contraception and the definition of rape. 
 Long, who calls the war on women claim "phony," asked why Gillibrand hasn't demanded Speaker <a href="/topics//Sheldon_Silver">Sheldon Silver</a> resign for secretly paying off victims of a state legislator's sexual harassment. 
 Gillibrand, caught between her women's agenda and her party, said she's waiting for results of an investigation. 
 Long said Gillibrand "stands for nothing, except for advancing her own career" and crusading for women is just "to distract attention from her terrible record on jobs." 
 "I stand for the middle class," Gillibrand responded, adding, "My values have never changed." 
 Gillibrand grew up in a powerful <a href="/topics//Albany,_NY">Albany</a> political family, but said she didn't get involved in politics until she was a Manhattan attorney in the 1990s. 
 Her grandmother was Democratic icon Dorothea "Polly" Noonan, a confidante of <a href="/topics//Albany,_NY">Albany</a> Mayor Erastus Corning II. Her father, lobbyist Douglas Rutnik, has close ties to powerful <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republicans</a> Alfonse D'Amato and <a href="/topics//George_Pataki">George Pataki</a>. 
 &nbsp; 
 'Friends on both sides of the aisle' 
 Gillibrand grew up in the era of Albany political machines that was less about philosophy and more about loyalty, said State Assemb. Jack McEneny, a family friend who's retiring this year. 
 He said Gillibrand, a <a href="/topics//U.S._Democratic_Party">Democrat</a>, "learned to have friends on both sides of the aisle." She interned in D'Amato's <a href="/topics//U.S._Senate">U.S. Senate</a> office and later won a clerkship with Appellate Judge Jeffrey Miner, a Reagan appointee backed by D'Amato. 
 "There are friendship chains that sometimes transcend the obvious," McEneny said, such as the judge who lived down the road from her. "Judge Miner. He was a <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republican</a>, but a good social friend." 
 Gillibrand said she applied for both jobs, but doesn't know if anyone recommended her. And she said she didn't always get the job she wanted: She failed to win an appointment as an assistant U.S. attorney in Manhattan or in Brooklyn. 
 Her job as a political appointee under then-HUD secretary and now Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo ended after seven months when George W. Bush won the White House in 2000. 
 That's when she began thinking of running for office as the only route to public service, she said. In 2006, she won an upstate House seat in an upset. 
 Gillibrand set up Off the Sidelines, an organization to encourage women to run for office. "It's part of who I am," she said, citing her grandmother's creation of the Democratic Women's Club in Albany. 
 Though she has declared she wants <a href="/topics//Hillary_Rodham_Clinton">Hillary Clinton</a> to make another bid for the White House, Gillibrand's name has begun to pop up as a candidate. 
 "In talk amongst friends around here, we would like to see her seek higher office," said Darius Shahinfar, an Albany lawyer who helped Gillibrand's first run for <a href="/topics//U.S._Congress">Congress</a>. 
 Which office? 
 "I actually think governor of <a href="/topics//New_York_(state)">New York</a>," he said. "It's awfully hard to run for president from the Senate." 
 Asked about her ambitions, Gillibrand demurred. "I would like to be the senator from New York," she said. "I hope I get to serve a six-year term." 
 &nbsp; 
 &nbsp; 
<h3> <a href="/topics//Kirsten_Gillibrand">KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND</a></h3> 
 &nbsp; 
 PARTY <a href="/topics//U.S._Democratic_Party">Democrat</a> 
 AGE 45 
 HOME Brunswick 
 EDUCATION Bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College; Law degree from UCLA 
 CAREER Appointed in 2009, and elected in 2010, to serve out the term of former U.S. Sen. <a href="/topics//Hillary_Rodham_Clinton">Hillary Rodham Clinton</a>; serves on Senate committees on Agriculture, Armed Services, Environment and Aging. Previously elected twice to U.S. House 
 FAMILY Married with two sons 
 &nbsp; 
 &nbsp; 
<h3> CAMPAIGN FUNDRAISING</h3> 
 &nbsp; 
 Total campaign contributions $15.5 million 
 Total spent $14.0 million 
 Debt/loans $0 
 Cash on hand $2.4 million 
 Source: Federal Election Commission, as of Oct. 17, 2012

USGILL28

Kirsten Gillibrand leading in Senate race

toGILL09

Wendy Long says running an uphill battle to unseat Sen. <a href="/topics//Kirsten_Gillibrand">Kirsten Gillibrand</a> (D-N.Y.) was a fight she couldn't pass up after three decades as a conservative spokeswoman, lawyer and activist. 
 Long, 52, a former clerk to Justice Clarence <a href="/topics//Clarence_Thomas">Thomas</a> and friend of radio host <a href="/topics//Laura_Ingraham">Laura Ingraham</a> and author <a href="/topics//Dinesh_D'Souza">Dinesh D'Souza</a>, told her hometown newspaper in Keene, N.H.: "It was kind of a crazy idea that just took off." 
 But in an interview last week about her first try at campaigning for an elective office, Long said she's serious about waging a battle of ideas. 
 "I got into this only because, as I've said around the state, I felt like this was not just an election, it was an emergency," said Long, who is on the Conservative and <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republican</a> lines. 
 She said the country's broke, overtaxed and over-regulated, and she agrees with <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republican</a> presidential candidate <a href="/topics//Mitt_Romney">Mitt Romney</a>'s plan to restore the economy and create jobs. 
 "I think that my views are in line with <a href="/topics//New_York_(state)">New York</a>ers on many of the most important things," she said, especially her call to lower tax rates. 
 "Even though many <a href="/topics//New_York_(state)">New York</a>ers may hold different views than I hold on something like <a href="/topics//Same-sex_Marriage">same-sex marriage</a> or abortion," Long said, "I think they appreciate the fact I'm honest." 
 &nbsp; 
 Trailing in the polls 
 Recent polls have not been encouraging for Long. In surveys of likely voters released last week, Long trailed Gillibrand by 44 percentage points in a Marist Poll and 43 percentage points in a Siena Poll. 
 Worse for Long, Siena Poll's Steven Greenberg said 67 percent of those surveyed said they had not even heard of her. 
 "She never ran for office before. She starts with zero. Despite winning the Republican primary that very few <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republicans</a> participated in, she still remains unknown," he said. "Why? She has no money." 
 Long, who lives in Manhattan, defeated two others in the June <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">GOP</a> primary, and then began running. As of Oct. 17, she reported having raised $722,020 -- not enough, she said, to run TV ads. 
 Long has sunk nearly $57,000 of her own money into her campaign and owes consultants more than $250,000. 
 She said she relies on outside groups to help. Last week, the New York State Conservative Party spent $24,000 on robocalls. <a href="/topics//Super_PACs">Super PAC</a> National Horizons ran an ad weeks ago for her, funded by $500,000 from cosmetics heir Robert Lauder and $200,000 from Robert Mercer of Renaissance Technologies in <a href="/topics//East_Setauket,_NY">East Setauket</a>. 
 Gillibrand, with $15.5 million raised, has aired five ads. 
 <a href="/topics//U.S._Democratic_Party">Democrats</a> have cast Long as extreme and out of step with New Yorkers for opposing abortion and <a href="/topics//Same-sex_Marriage">same-sex marriage</a>. 
 State <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">GOP</a> chairman Ed Cox said Long fits the new mold of principled conservative who can win in the Northeast, as shown by <a href="/topics//New_Jersey">New Jersey</a> Gov. <a href="/topics//Christopher_J._Christie">Chris Christie</a>. 
 Long has her own role models -- former Sens. Gordon Humphrey (R-N.H.) and William Armstrong (R-Colo.). She worked for each of them as a press secretary in the 1980s. 
 Both were hard-line social conservatives and fiscal hawks, leading members of the New Right, the precursor to today's bloc of tea party lawmakers. 
 Armstrong, president of <a href="/topics//Colorado">Colorado</a> Christian University in Lakewood, Colo., called Long "an idealist" and brilliant, as he recalled fighting his own party to get more spending cuts. 
 Yet while Armstrong played the role of obstructionist with filibusters and other moves, he used his personal touch to avoid alienating colleagues, according to CQ's Politics in America. 
 Long noted the parallels between the 1980s and today with fights over deficits, spending and taxes, and praised Armstrong for his work. 
 She said her approach to the other side as senator would be "having honest disagreement" and "a real battle of ideas." 
 &nbsp; 
 Finding her voice 
 The seeds of her decision to run were planted at Dartmouth College where, Long said, "I found a strong political bent." 
 She said she arrived there in 1978 as a Republican and Protestant, but became a committed conservative and a Catholic. 
 The spark for that came from her friends, including <a href="/topics//Dinesh_D'Souza">D'Souza</a>, who founded The Dartmouth Review, a provocative conservative journal that engaged in the culture wars of the 1980s. 
 <a href="/topics//Dinesh_D'Souza">D'Souza</a> remains provocative: He made a film attacking Obama and recently was ousted as president of King's College in Brooklyn for getting engaged before he divorced his wife. 
 Long said she worked for the college newspaper before joining the Review as an editor -- and becoming part of an expanding network of high-profile and outspoken conservative activists that she's still involved in today. 
 When she left a job in the Senate, she worked for an anti-abortion group and earned a law degree at Northwestern Law School. She landed a clerkship with Thomas, one of the most conservative justices. 
 After practicing law, she helped found the Judicial Confirmation Network in the 2000s to battle with liberal groups and <a href="/topics//U.S._Democratic_Party">Democrats</a> such as Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), who opposed the nominations of John Roberts and Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court. 
 More recently, at the newly rechristened Judicial Crisis Network, Long opposed the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the high court. 
 &nbsp; 
 Hitting the home stretch 
 Exhausted and with just days to go, Long said, "I really took on an uphill battle fairly late in the game." 
 Several dear friends are also running as <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republicans</a> for Senate, but they started a lot earlier, she said. 
 They include Ted Cruz, a friend from a year she spent at Harvard Law, in Texas; Rep. Heather Wilson (R-Ariz.), a childhood friend from Keene, N.H., in Arizona; and Dartmouth friend John McGovern, in Vermont. 
 Asked whether she'll seek elected office again if she loses, Long said, "I certainly would hope and intend to keep fighting for, in whatever way I think is most helpful, for the things that I care about. But I don't know whether that would mean running for anything in the future." 
 &nbsp; 
 &nbsp; 
<h3> WENDY LONG</h3> 
 &nbsp; 
 PARTY Republican 
 AGE 52 
 HOME Manhattan 
 EDUCATION Bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College; law degree from Northwestern University Law School 
 CAREER Spokeswoman for two U.S. senators; spokeswoman for Americans United for Life; partner in a Manhattan law firm; activist supporting conservative U.S. Supreme Court nominees 
 FAMILY Married with two children 
 &nbsp; 
 &nbsp; 
<h3> CAMPAIGN FUNDRAISING</h3> 
 &nbsp; 
 Total campaign contributions $722,020 
 Total spent $614,798 
 Debt/loans $311,016 
 Cash on hand $107,222 
 Source: Federal Election Commission, as of Oct. 17, 2012

USLONG28

Wendy Long faces uphill battle for Senate

long crop

<a href="/topics//U.S._Green_Party">Green Party</a> candidate Colia Clark said she's running to represent <a href="/topics//New_York_(state)">New York</a> in the U.S. Senate on a "freedom agenda," with a top priority of free education for all from preschool through college. 
 "It's an embarrassment that the most wealthy nation on <a href="/topics//Earth_(musician)">Earth</a> does not finance education," said Clark, 72, a community and civil rights activist living in <a href="/topics//New_York_(state)">New York</a> City. 
 Clark ran but lost to Sen. <a href="/topics//Chuck_Schumer">Charles Schumer</a> (D-N.Y.) in 2010. Now she's taking on Sen. <a href="/topics//Kirsten_Gillibrand">Kirsten Gillibrand</a> (D-N.Y.). 
 Inspired by President <a href="/topics//Franklin_D._Roosevelt">Franklin D. Roosevelt</a>'s 1944 "Second Bill of Rights," Clark calls for free health care, living wages and decent housing for all. 
 She also said she'd tax corporations the same rate as individuals. 
 Clark raised no money, her filings with the <a href="/topics//Federal_Election_Commission">Federal Election Commission</a> show. She terminated her campaign fund in January, after spending $243. 
 &nbsp; 
 Chris Edes said he's running for U.S. Senate in <a href="/topics//New_York_(state)">New York</a> on the Libertarian line to create an alternative to the two-party political system. 
 "I will focus on civil liberties, fiscal solvency and Constitutional government," Edes said when he announced his candidacy for the seat by Sen. <a href="/topics//Kirsten_Gillibrand">Kirsten Gillibrand</a> (D-N.Y.). 
 An information technology consultant, Edes, 33, has been active in the <a href="/topics//Libertarian_Party">Libertarian Party</a> and the Tea Party in his hometown of <a href="/topics//Rochester,_NY">Rochester</a>. 
 He has run for several offices in <a href="/topics//Rochester,_NY">Rochester</a> and was state chairman of the <a href="/topics//Libertarian_Party">Libertarian Party</a> of New York in 2009. He's also the chairman of the Shooters Committee On Political Education, a state <a href="/topics//Gun_Control">gun rights</a> group. 
 Edes reported in July he had raised $2,017 and had spent $668.80. He has not filed any reports since, according to the <a href="/topics//Federal_Election_Commission">Federal Election Commission</a>. 
 &nbsp; 
 <a href="/topics//Bayville,_NY">Bayville</a> attorney John Mangelli said if he's elected to the U.S. Senate, he literally wants to be the voice of the people. 
 He would hold a referendum on a variety of issues through his official website, and he would abide by the outcome to avoid the influence of special interests, said Mangelli, 46, who practices mostly foreclosure law. 
 "Before I voted on any issues, especially on social policy, I would have a vote within my constituency," he said. 
 Mangelli also promises to focus on prosecution of fraud, make protecting the environment a priority and create sustainable jobs. 
 He's in the <a href="/topics//United_States_Coast_Guard">United States Coast Guard</a> Auxiliary. 
 Mangelli said he created the <a href="/topics//Common_(musician)">Common</a> Sense Party so he could get on the ballot. 
 In July, Mangelli reported raising $14,200 and spending $7,647. He hasn't filed a more recent report.

USCAND28.WEB

Lesser-known candidates in U.S. Senate race

poMANGELLI

Rep. <a href="/topics//Steve_Israel">Steve Israel</a> has crafted a reputation of a pragmatic, moderate <a href="/topics//U.S._Democratic_Party">Democrat</a> who tries to get beyond the partisan bickering in <a href="/topics//U.S._Congress">Congress</a> to find solutions.
<a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republican</a> foes say his voting record belies the image. They also say Israel's position as the head of the House <a href="/topics//U.S._Democratic_Party">Democrats</a>' campaign committee keeps him focused on elections in many states -- at the expense of <a href="/topics//Long_Island,_NY">Long Island</a>.
The incumbent, running this fall for a seventh term, rejects that notion.
"Take a look at my schedule. They're just plain wrong," Israel (D-Huntington) said of his critics. "Talk to the vets I serve and they'll tell you I'm here every day. Talk to the people who I worked with on the <a href="/topics//Long_Island_Sound">Long Island Sound</a> [preservation plan], they'll tell you I'm delivering here in the district."
But it's a whole new district for Israel this time, thanks to the decennial redistricting process. Ninety percent of the voters in his old district were in <a href="/topics//Suffolk_County,_NY">Suffolk</a> County. The new district runs along the North Shore, and just 39 percent of its voters are from Suffolk. Now 45 percent are from <a href="/topics//Nassau_County,_NY">Nassau</a> County and 16 percent, Queens.
Israel is running against Republican Stephen Labate of <a href="/topics//Deer_Park,_NY">Deer Park</a>, who became involved in politics three years ago with a tea party group. Libertarian candidate Michael McDermott and <a href="/topics//Constitution_Party">Constitution Party</a> candidate Anthony Tolda also are in the race.
Israel, 54, says he's Long Island middle class through and through. He grew up in <a href="/topics//Levittown,_NY">Levittown</a>, son of a traveling salesman. He attended <a href="/topics//Nassau_Community_College">Nassau Community College</a> "because we couldn't afford a four-year university at that point," though he went on to graduate from The <a href="/topics//George_Washington_Colonials_(basketball)">George Washington University</a> in 1982.
Israel worked as a congressional aide and, at age 29, became a deputy to Suffolk County Executive Patrick Halpin in 1987.
"Even back then, he had a level of maturity and interest in politics that was unusual," Halpin said. "He had a very good way about it, whether he had to deliver bad news or muster votes or bring divergent points of view together. He was very good at the 'small p' of politics."
Israel served on the Huntington Town Board from 1993 to 2000..
Town Supervisor Frank <a href="/topics//Frank_Petrone">Petrone</a>, a Democrat, said Israel has a "real bipartisan" spirit and a "focus on working together to create things, not to tear things down." Petrone said Israel, as a congressman, created the consensus necessary for a project to rebuild the seawall in Asharoken two years ago.
Israel first won election to the House in 2000. He once formed the "Center Aisle Caucus" to promote civility in Congress, joined the Blue Dog Caucus of moderate Democrats, and has become a leading voice on veterans' affairs. A military history buff, he edited the 2007 book "Charge! History's Greatest Military Speeches."
"<a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republicans</a> used to always say they were the only ones who cared about veterans," said James Gaughran, head of the Suffolk County Water Authority and an Israel ally. "I think he's turned that around on a national level."
Labate says Israel talks about working with Republicans but doesn't vote that way.
"I find it ironic that somebody speaking about being bipartisan and looking for compromise has a 93 percent voting record with" his own party, Labate said.
Israel counters that Labate has signed the Grover Norquist pledge to never raise taxes, even if they're offset by spending cuts. 
"That extremism and absolutism is not the right prescription for the middle class," Israel said. 
Labate said he signed the pledge because, "I do not believe you can raise taxes in this type of economic environment."
Israel supported President Barack Obama's health care law because, he says, it eliminates lifetime caps on insurance benefits and "makes sure that a woman with <a href="/topics//Breast_Cancer">breast cancer</a> can't be denied health insurance because breast cancer is a 'pre-existing condition.' "
But Israel opposes the president's position on eliminating Bush-era tax cuts for families earning more than $250,000 annually because "$250,000 doesn't make you rich on the North Shore of Long Island." 
In 2011, Israel became head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, putting him in charge of Democrats' efforts to regain the House. That's put him in the national headlines and earned him a speaking role at the party's national convention. It's also subjected him to criticism.
"Steve Israel is out running around the country raising money for Democrats instead of being here listening to his constituents," said Suffolk County <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">GOP</a> chairman John Jay LaValle.
"I'm not running on national politics but my own record of finding solutions back home," Israel countered. "But I will say that having a national role does give me more clout in fighting for my constituents."

POISRA26

Israel focuses on middle class, partisanship

Steve Israel - Cropped

Libertarian congressional candidate Michael McDermott was a lifelong <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republican</a> -- until, he said, the endless partisan bickering became too much.
"We're in serious trouble but the <a href="/topics//U.S._Democratic_Party">Democrats</a> and <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republicans</a> won't fix it because they won't even talk to each other -- because they don't want the other to get credit," said McDermott, 59, of <a href="/topics//Huntington_Station,_NY">Huntington Station</a>, who switched his voter registration earlier this year. "Meanwhile, we're getting nowhere."
McDermott is running in the 3rd Congressional District, which covers northwest <a href="/topics//Suffolk_County,_NY">Suffolk</a> County, northern <a href="/topics//Nassau_County,_NY">Nassau</a> County and a sliver of Queens. He has not filed a campaign-finance statement.
McDermott said that as a Libertarian, he can "reach halfway across both aisles" to the major parties.
He supports term limits, reduced federal spending and an end to foreign aid. He wants to bring all American troops home, save for those guarding embassies. "The biggest way to stop terrorists is to get out of their countries," he said.
McDermott is a real estate broker and former <a href="/topics//Hauppauge,_NY">Hauppauge</a> school board president. He is separated and has four daughters.

POMCDE26

McDermott focuses on spending, foreign aid

slVOTE - mcdermott crop

Ask Stephen Labate's allies about him and they talk about his determination.
The <a href="/topics//Deer_Park,_NY">Deer Park</a> financial adviser and Army reservist became politically active in 2009, resolving not just to be a support worker for conservative candidates but to become a candidate himself. And not just for a small-time office, but for <a href="/topics//U.S._Congress">Congress</a>.
"People told him: Why don't you run for the state or county legislature," said Steve Flanagan, head of the <a href="/topics//Islip,_NY">Islip</a>-based Conservative Society for Action, a tea party group. "He had no interest in any of that because he knows that most of our problems today are coming from Washington and that's where he thought he could have an impact."
Labate is the <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republican</a> candidate for the 3rd Congressional District, running against Rep. <a href="/topics//Steve_Israel">Steve Israel</a> (D-Huntington), a six-term incumbent. The district, redrawn through the decennial redistricting process, covers northwest <a href="/topics//Suffolk_County,_NY">Suffolk</a> and northern <a href="/topics//Nassau_County,_NY">Nassau</a> counties, and a sliver of northeast Queens.
The district has 182,000 registered <a href="/topics//U.S._Democratic_Party">Democrats</a>, 147,000 <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republicans</a> and 55,000 independent voters. Labate has raised about $250,000 to Israel's $3 million.
Labate, 44, is the first tea party member to run for a key office on <a href="/topics//Long_Island,_NY">Long Island</a> with the nomination of a major party. He says the nation's debt has him and many other constituents "scared."
"I'm frightened for their future," Labate said of his 6-year-old twins in a recent debate. "I'm frightened for the future of millions of American children who are right now being straddled by billions and billions of dollars of debt due to the incredible amount of spending -- the outlandish spending of my opponent as well as the current administration."
Labate got involved with the tea party protests over the federal Affordable Care Act and in Islip Town elections, friends said. In each scenario, he was persistent, reliable and willing to do "grunt work."
"He'd put together material, informational brochures, leaflets, fliers, things like that," Flanagan said. "And his contributions were: I'll be there everyday. I'll hold up signs. I'll be loud." 
Frank Tantone, Islip Republican Committee chairman, said that during town board races in 2009 Labate "was handing out literature, coming to events, going to train stations to campaign. . . . I was very impressed with his persistence."
Labate wanted to run against Israel in 2010, but lost the <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">GOP</a> nomination to John Gomez. But Labate continued to help the party, Tantone said. That effort helped him win the GOP nomination for Congress this year.
Labate grew up in the <a href="/topics//Ozone_Park,_NY">Ozone Park</a> section of Queens. He earned a degree from St. John's University, joining the Army Reserve while in school. He began a career in financial services, eventually working as a retirement planner. He left his job earlier this year to campaign full-time.
Labate has been activated for military duty three times since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and served a stint in <a href="/topics//Iraq">Iraq</a>. He is married with twins, a boy and a girl.
On the stump, Labate's main issues are the national debt and "Obamacare," the Republicans' name for <a href="/topics//Barack_Obama">President Barack Obama</a>'s health care overhaul.
He wants the health care law repealed and says recent legislation regulating banks and <a href="/topics//Wall_Street">Wall Street</a> is hurting job creation. He has signed the "Grover Norquist pledge" to oppose any tax increases, even if offset by spending cuts.
"I did because I do not believe you can raise taxes in this type of economic environment," Labate said, according to a transcript of a recent News 12 Long Island debate. "What we need is to give money back to our small business owners and to Americans."
Labate bristles at Israel's claim that he'd support the budget offered by GOP vice presidential candidate <a href="/topics//Paul_Ryan">Paul Ryan</a>, that Democrats say, would turn Medicare into a voucher program.
"I never have said that I support the Paul Ryan [budget]," Labate said. "I said it was a good start because people are talking [about the budget] . . . . But I don't have sufficient details about how it impacts seniors. If it impacts seniors negatively, I would not support it. Case closed."
Labate also criticized Israel's recent short sale of his Dix Hills home in which the loan servicer allowed the congressman him to sell it for $93,000 less than he owed on it. Labate says Israel received special treatment. 
Israel, who is going through a divorce, said he didn't get preferential treatment, and that he got clearance from House Ethics officials before going through with the sale.
Labate has tried to use the issue to say that voters are tired of career politicians. He thinks his outsider status serves him well.
"People like my background," he says. "They like my story. They like the fact that I've never held office." 

<h3>Stephen Labate Bio</h3>

Republican
Age: 44
Home: Deer Park
Education: Bachelor's degree from St. John's University
Career: Worked in financial services and is a certified retirement counselor. Has served in the U.S. Army Reserve since college and is a lieutenant colonel.
Family: Married with two children

POLABA26

Labate's focus: national debt, 'Obamacare'

Stephen Labate /

<a href="/topics//Constitution_Party">Constitution Party</a> candidate Anthony Tolda wants to abolish the income tax, return to the gold standard as a monetary system, end government bailouts of private companies and bring home almost all American troops serving overseas.
Tolda, 30, of <a href="/topics//South_Huntington,_NY">South Huntington</a>, is running in the 3rd Congressional District, which covers northwest <a href="/topics//Suffolk_County,_NY">Suffolk</a> and northern <a href="/topics//Nassau_County,_NY">Nassau</a> counties, and a sliver of Queens. 
Tolda reported raising $177, spending $108 and having $68 on hand as of Sept. 30.
"I am the only candidate who is going to follow the Constitution," said Tolda, who unsuccessfully tried to get on the <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republican</a> ballot to face Stephen Labate in a primary.
He says he supports a "noninterventionist approach" to foreign affairs.
"We need to end all the wars, end the nation building," he says. "It's unsustainable . . ." 
Tolda also says in an online video that he doesn't believe <a href="/topics//Barack_Obama">President Barack Obama</a> is an American citizen.
Tolda works as a financial consultant and a pyrotechnician at Bay Fireworks. He is single with no children.

POTOLD26

Tolda: End income tax, bailouts

Anthony E. Tolda - crop

Rep. <a href="/topics//Carolyn_McCarthy">Carolyn McCarthy</a>'s challengers in the 4th Congressional District describe her as a Washington insider, but McCarthy says she is still the same nurse-turned-activist she was when first elected 16 years ago. 
 "I don't come from a political family," McCarthy said. "I got involved by being an activist." 
 McCarthy said she is running for a ninth term because she wants to keep fighting for what is important to her constituents and to her. 
 She says she remains focused on her signature issue, <a href="/topics//Gun_Control">gun control</a>, which she took up after her husband was killed and her son severely wounded in the <a href="/topics//Long_Island_Rail_Road">Long Island Rail Road</a> massacre. She said she also would work to protect Social Security and Medicare and to secure aid for small businesses. 
 Born in Brooklyn, McCarthy is a graduate of <a href="/topics//Mineola,_NY">Mineola</a> High School and <a href="/topics//Glen_Cove,_NY">Glen Cove</a> Nursing School. She chose to become a nurse after sitting bedside with a boyfriend who had suffered a serious and ultimately fatal car accident. She worked in the intensive care unit at <a href="/topics//Glen_Cove,_NY">Glen Cove</a> Hospital. 
 On Dec. 7, 1993, when gunman <a href="/topics//Colin_Ferguson">Colin Ferguson</a> opened fire in a <a href="/topics//Hicksville,_NY">Hicksville</a>-bound <a href="/topics//LIRR">LIRR</a> train, McCarthy's husband, Dennis, was among six passengers he killed; her son, Kevin, was among 19 seriously wounded. 
 The slayings pushed McCarthy to become a vocal gun-control advocate. She testified often before <a href="/topics//U.S._Congress">Congress</a> on the need for stricter regulations. In 1996, after freshman <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republican</a> Rep. Dan Frisa voted for a <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">GOP</a> measure that would have lifted a federal assault weapons ban, McCarthy announced she was running for the seat. 
 Initially a registered <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republican</a>, McCarthy got enough Democratic support to become the party's candidate. Though <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republicans</a> outnumbered <a href="/topics//U.S._Democratic_Party">Democrats</a> in the district at the time, she defeated Frisa with 57 percent of the vote. McCarthy, 68, has won re-election every two years since. 
 McCarthy points to the National Instant Criminal Background Check Database Improvements Act as a key accomplishment. 
 The measure, signed into law by President <a href="/topics//George_W._Bush">George W. Bush</a> in 2008, provides grants to states to upgrade their background check technologies. It requires federal agencies to share information through a national database on individuals who are ineligible to buy guns. 
 McCarthy's opponents this time are <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republican</a> <a href="/topics//Nassau_County,_NY">Nassau</a> County Legis. Francis X. Becker and <a href="/topics//New_Hyde_Park,_NY">New Hyde Park</a> attorney Frank Scaturro, who is on the Conservative Party line. 
 Both challengers -- hoping the addition of 19,000 <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republicans</a> in the district because of redistricting will give them an advantage -- paint McCarthy as an "ultraliberal" <a href="/topics//U.S._Democratic_Party">Democrat</a> for voting in favor of <a href="/topics//Barack_Obama">President Barack Obama</a>'s Affordable Health Care law and the $787 million federal stimulus package. 
 The district, which includes <a href="/topics//New_Hyde_Park,_NY">New Hyde Park</a>, Floral Park, the Willistons, <a href="/topics//Mineola,_NY">Mineola</a>, Garden City, Rockville Centre, Franklin Square, Westbury, East Meadow, Freeport, Oceanside, Long Beach, Wantagh, Bellmore and Merrick, has 189,627 <a href="/topics//U.S._Democratic_Party">Democrats</a>, 168,191 <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republicans</a> and 4,907 Conservatives, according to the <a href="/topics//Nassau_County,_NY">Nassau</a> Board of Elections. 
 "She went to Washington to change Washington, but Washington changed her," Becker said. "Maybe she was a nurse a long time ago, but at the end of the day you got to go to Washington and fight for something." 
 But McCarthy, who didn't officially switch her <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republican party</a> registration until 2003, said she remains close to her constituents and that she has reached across the aisle. 
 "I'm hoping after this election we see more bipartisanship," she said. "We need more long-term agreement on the economy . . . we need to reach a bipartisan decision to reduce the debt." 
 McCarthy has outspent her challengers by a wide margin. She has collected $2 million in campaign contributions, including $8,500 from Goldman Sachs, $8,000 from Bank of America and $2,500 from Newsday's parent company, Cablevision. She had spent $1.2 million on her campaign as of Sept. 29, according to federal campaign reports. Becker has spent $107,833, and Scaturro has spent $151,000 during that same period. 
 But McCarthy says she's not influenced by corporate political action committees. 
 "I meet with people and groups in my district and I understand their concerns," she said. "My job this election is to make the case that I am the most qualified for the job." 
 With Robert Brodsky

POMCCA22

4th District: Carolyn McCarthy rejects Washington-insider tag

Carolyn McCarthy - cropped

<a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republican</a> attorney Frank Scaturro has feuded with his own party's leaders and filed a lawsuit against Conservative Party officials. 
 Ultimately, 259 write-in votes were enough to secure him a spot on the November ballot as the Conservative Party candidate against Rep. <a href="/topics//Carolyn_McCarthy">Carolyn McCarthy</a> (D-<a href="/topics//Mineola,_NY">Mineola</a>). 
 <a href="/topics//Nassau_County,_NY">Nassau</a> <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republicans</a> are backing County Legis. Francis X. Becker of <a href="/topics//Lynbrook,_NY">Lynbrook</a>, and have pressed Scaturro to drop out of the race. 
 <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">GOP</a> leaders fear Scaturro's candidacy threatens to siphon <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republican</a> votes, to the <a href="/topics//Benefit_(designer)">benefit</a> of incumbent McCarthy. 
 Scaturro, a registered <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republican</a>, has refused to fold his Conservative Party campaign, saying he presents an alternative to longtime politicians. 
 "I believe we are at an important crossroads that really requires our public servants to stand up and have an honest dialogue, which we're not getting from our incumbent elected officials," said Scaturro, 40, of <a href="/topics//Hempstead,_NY">Hempstead</a>. 
 Scaturro said that if elected he would push to reduce the size of government, repeal the <a href="/topics//Barack_Obama">Obama</a> administration's health care overhaul and cut corporate tax rates. His supporters include <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republican</a> Sen. <a href="/topics//Tom_Coburn">Tom Coburn</a> of <a href="/topics//Oklahoma">Oklahoma</a> and the <a href="/topics//Brightwaters,_NY">Brightwaters</a>-based Conservative Society for Action. 
 A graduate of the <a href="/topics//University_of_Pennsylvania">University of Pennsylvania</a> School of Law, Scaturro taught constitutional law at <a href="/topics//Hofstra_University">Hofstra University</a> and once served as a legal aide to the <a href="/topics//Senate_Judiciary_Committee">Senate Judiciary Committee</a>. 
 "I would come into the job with an awareness and strong background in our Constitution," Scaturro said. "Too often lawmakers will say, 'The courts will deal with it.' You can't do that." 
 Born in Brooklyn, Scaturro grew up in <a href="/topics//New_Hyde_Park,_NY">New Hyde Park</a>. He graduated from <a href="/topics//Chaminade_High_School">Chaminade High School</a> in <a href="/topics//Mineola,_NY">Mineola</a>, where his father worked as a maintenance supervisor. His mother was a secretary for various law firms. 
 While majoring in history and political science at Columbia University, Scaturro got a taste of the district in 1993 as an intern for Rep. David Levy, a <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republican</a> who served one term. 
 In 1991, as a National Park Service volunteer, Scaturro founded the Grant Monument Association, a nonprofit that oversaw a $1.8 million restoration of the General Grant National Memorial on Manhattan's West Side. He remains president of the association. 
 On the campaign trail, Scaturro, who has never held elected office, paints his opponents as beholden to party leaders. 
 "<a href="/topics//Carolyn_McCarthy">Carolyn McCarthy</a> has been a virtual rubber stamp for Nancy Pelosi," Scaturro said, referring to the House minority leader, a California Democrat. "Mr. Becker has just been a rubber stamp for the <a href="/topics//Nassau_County,_NY">Nassau</a> political bosses. None have demonstrated leadership." 
 McCarthy said: "The people in this district know me . . . and know I will be there for them." 
 Becker said that if Scaturro "truly felt and truly believed in conservative principles, he wouldn't be running." He said "a vote for Frank Scaturro is a vote for <a href="/topics//Carolyn_McCarthy">Carolyn McCarthy</a>." 
 Scaturro, who lost to Becker in the 2010 and 2012 <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">Republican</a> congressional primaries for the seat, staged an upset when he collected enough Conservative party write-in votes to get on the November ballot. 
 Scaturro ran a write-in campaign after Conservatives gave their nod to Becker. 
 Scaturro has publicly criticized <a href="/topics//Nassau_County,_NY">Nassau</a> <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">GOP</a> leaders, saying they never gave him a fair chance to be the party's pick because he was not "beholden to the party bosses." 
 <a href="/topics//Nassau_County,_NY">Nassau</a> <a href="/topics//U.S._Republican_Party">GOP</a> spokesman Tony Santino has said "Scaturro is more about his own monumental ego and ambition than about retiring" McCarthy. 
 Scaturro counters that his willingness "to stand up to the bosses in my own party" demonstrates his ability to answer only to his constituents. 
 "I'm willing to buck them and stand up for what's right," Scaturro said of party officials. "We need more people who are willing to take a risk and ask the tough questions." 
 Editor's note: A story on Tuesday about Fourth Congressional District candidate Frank Scaturro misattributed the final quote of the story.

POSCAT22

Frank Scaturro bucks party in maverick House run

4CD Frank Scaturro 6.27.12  cropped

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