Suffolk Legislator Kara Hahn stepping down for state parks position

Suffolk County Legis. Kara Hahn announced Monday she has stepped down from the legislature to take a position as the Long Island deputy director for the state Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Department.

Hahn, 52, of Setauket, is a Democrat who is term-limited at the end of 2023. Monday was her last day in the legislature, she announced in an email to campaign supporters.

“The decision to leave before my term officially ended was a difficult one for me to make,” she said. “Many of you know parks are my passion, and I have been offered a unique opportunity to continue to serve the people, our community and environment as Deputy Regional Director for New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation on Long Island.”

Hahn will serve under director George Gorman, who said she "is going to be a great addition to our regional management team."

“Being in the Suffolk County Legislature over the past 12 years and being the former chairperson of the parks committee, she is extremely knowledgeable and has a passion and love for parks," Gorman said.

No special election will be held to replace her because it is past the Aug. 7 deadline to schedule one. Former state Assemb. Steve Englebright, a Democrat, and Republican Anthony Figliola are running to replace Hahn in the November general election.

The Fifth District legislative office will remain open and constituents can contact staff members at 631-854-1650.

Hahn, who represented the Three Village and Port Jefferson area, is a former deputy presiding officer and former chairwoman of the legislature’s Environment, Parks and Agriculture Committee. Before taking office she served as director of communications under former Presiding Officer William J. Lindsay.

Her departure will not affect the balance of the legislature which is controlled by Republicans 11-6.

Legislative Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst) said she brought passion to her job and that she got along with lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle.

“I think she visited every single county park and I'm sure she'll bring that same enthusiasm and dedication to the New York State park system,” McCaffrey said.

During her 12 years in the legislature, Hahn sponsored a 2019 law that prohibits eateries from distributing polystyrene containers and a 2015 law that requires police officers to distribute risk assessment forms to domestic violence victims to determine if an abuser is predicted to attack again.

Most recently Hahn sponsored legislation to create an appeals process for people who report child abuse claims in a situation where a caseworker decides there is no credible evidence. Republican legislators have expressed concerns the measure could open the county to litigation largely due to privacy concerns.

Jason Richberg (D-West Babylon), the legislature’s minority leader, said legislators are looking at options to advance that initiative.

“She is a trailblazer who leads with her heart in fighting for environmental justice, community fairness, equity and everything else she has done,” he said. “She will be sorely missed in our legislature.” 

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.