Nassau legislator Siela Bynoe declares candidacy for Kathleen Rice's Congress seat

Nassau County Legis. Siela Bynoe (D-Westbury) on Tuesday declared her candidacy for Congress in the 4th District, vying to replace Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-Garden City), who is not seeking reelection.

Bynoe, a county legislator since 2014, is vying to represent a district that encompasses the southwestern and central parts of Nassau County.

In a statement to Newsday Tuesday, Bynoe said, if elected, she would "draw on my experience as a housing professional, education advocate, and a breast cancer survivor to address the housing challenges that are forcing our young people off Long Island, ensure safe schools and quality education for our students, and improve health outcomes for all Long Islanders."

As a Nassau County legislator Bynoe, 54, has advocated for police reform and stronger procedures for county contracting.

Last year, she and the legislature's two other Black members — Kevan Abrahams (D-Freeport) and Carrié Solages (D-Lawrence) — voted against a plan by former Democratic County Executive Laura Curran to reform the county police department.

Bynoe, Abrahams and Solages said Curran's plan did not substantially boost outside oversight of the department.

Until recently, Bynoe served as executive director of the Huntington Housing Authority.

Bynoe also is a former trustee of the Westbury School Board.

Rice became the 30th incumbent House Democrat to decide against seeking reelection, a sign of the difficult political environment for Democrats as they defend their majority in Congress this year.

Democrats have a 10-seat advantage over Republicans in the House of Representatives.

Traditionally, the party controlling the White House fares poorly in midterm elections.

Rice's departure leaves Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-Sayville) as the only House member from Long Island running for reelection.

Bynoe announced her congressional campaign on Facebook.

"I'm proud to announce I'm running for Congress to represent the values, hopes, and dreams of the extraordinary people of Nassau County's CD-4," Bynoe wrote.

"Please join me in this grassroots campaign to make sure our community has the representation in Congress we deserve," Bynoe said.

By Scott Eidler

scott.eidler@newsday.com@ScottEidler

Scott Eidler covers Nassau County government and politics for Newsday. Scott has worked at Newsday since 2012 and previously covered municipal government and education.