Samuel Gonzalez, Suffolk Legislator, 9th Legislative District

DEMOCRATIC

Gonzalez, 58, who won a special election for his seat in March, is running on the Democratic, Working Families, Independence and Libertarian party lines, though he said he recently lost the Libertarian endorsement.

ISSUES:

• He wants to continue working to create safe havens for youths, especially in downtown revitalization districts, to protect them from the recruiting influences of gangs such as MS-13.
• Gonzalez said it is “imperative” that the county stay involved in helping families with autistic children. His aim is to push “early intervention” programs to help autistic children in the critical ages of newborn to 3 years old.
• Helping veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and streamlining the number of red-light cameras in the county are also priorities, he said.

By Mark Harrington

mark.harrington@newsday.comMHarringtonNews

Mark Harrington, a Newsday reporter since 1999, covers energy, wineries, Indian affairs and fisheries.