Rebecca Lonardo, Suffolk Legislator, 17th Legislative District

REPUBLICAN

Lonardo, 38, is running on the Republican line. She is seeking her first two-year term in the Legislature.

ISSUES:

• Her top priority is Suffolk County's budget deficit, she said, adding that the county needs to curtail spending rather than continue to raise taxes and fees.
• Keeping county citizens safe is another priority, she said, in particular, stronger measures to combat gang crime and violence.
• Water quality is a top concern. Lonardo said drinking water, waterways and shorelines need proactive efforts to protect them. We cannot afford to wait until contamination occurs, she said.

By Joie Tyrrell

joie.tyrrell@newsday.com@JoieTyrrell

Joie Tyrrell is a Long Island native and covers education for Newsday, where she has worked since 1998.