Vincent Puleo, GOP candidate Suffolk County clerk

VINCENT PULEO

REPUBLICAN

BACKGROUND: Puleo, 68, of Nesconset, is seeking the Republican Party's nomination for Suffolk County clerk in the June 28 primary. Puleo is serving his fifth term as Smithtown Town clerk. He also runs a property management business in St. James. He has been a volunteer firefighter for 50 years. He has served as a Nesconset fire commissioner since 1993 and was fire chief in 1991-92. Puleo earned an associate degree in general studies from Suffolk County Community College.

ISSUES: Puleo supports term limits for Suffolk County elected officials. He said if elected he would press for legislative action to limit the county clerk from serving for more than a total of 12 years, "and I would take legal action if necessary." County term limits apply to county legislators, the county executive and the comptroller. The county clerk, district attorney and sheriff are exempt. Puleo also said he wants boost government transparency by digitizing as many municipal public records as possible to "make it easier for residents and small business operators to access records" from their homes or offices. Puleo said he created a "veterans' corner" in the Smithtown Town clerk's office to provide military veterans with special assistance, and would bring the same concept to the county clerk's office if elected. 

By Candice Ferrette

candice.ferrette@newsday.comcandiceferrette

Candice Ferrette covers Nassau County government and politics on Long Island. She has been a reporter at Newsday since 2011.