Thomas P. Donnelly, County Legislator, 17th Legislative District

THOMAS P. DONNELLY

Democratic

BACKGROUND:

• Donnelly, 50, of Deer Park, was elected to the Suffolk County Legislature in 2017 and chairs the legislature’s public safety committee. He is also running on the Conservative Party line.
• Donnelly spent 30 years as a firefighter in the New York City Fire Department and retired as a lieutenant. Donnelly, who spent six years as a Babylon town councilman, is a volunteer firefighter in Deer Park and previously served as a district fire commissioner.
• He has an associate degree from Suffolk County Community College and a bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue.

ISSUES:

• Donnelly said he is focused on quality of life issues, public safety and constituent services.
• He said he remains focused on public health during the COVID-19 pandemic and said he worked to improve food insecurity, such as helping to set up a food pantry, and distribute vaccines.
• Donnelly touted his work as a legislator, including securing funding for community groups and fire and emergency services agencies. He has sponsored legislation to help improve coordination between the police department and social services following the death of 8-year-old Thomas Valva. He also co-sponsored legislation to implement a school bus camera violations system, require county law enforcement agencies to submit quarterly reports on the impact of bail reform and create an internal task force on enhancing the county's public health preparedness.

By Rachelle Blidner

rachelle.blidner@newsday.com@rachelleblidner

Rachelle Blidner covers Suffolk County government, politics and breaking news.