Democrats pick Joseph Scianablo for November rematch against Hempstead Supervisor John Ferretti

It’s a rematch in Hempstead, as Joseph Scianablo announced Tuesday he is running against Town Supervisor John Ferretti in November.

Scianablo, the Democratic Party’s pick for the race, was a political newcomer when he launched his first campaign last year. He was defeated by Ferretti at the polls on Nov. 4, 2025.

The town supervisor’s term is for two years, but Ferretti’s first term is truncated as part of a transition to even-year elections following a change in state law.

"Town hall has been plagued with backroom deals, inflated fees, political favoritism and declining services," Scianablo said in an interview Tuesday. He said for a century, the government has worked "not for the people but for political insiders. ... So I'm returning this election cycle to finish the job that I began in 2025."

A request for comment from Ferretti made through town spokesman Brian Devine was not immediately returned Tuesday.

Scianablo is a former Queens county prosecutor, NYPD officer and U.S. Marine combat veteran. He successfully sued the town, Republican Ferretti and other officials for violations of New York State Open Meetings Law after Ferretti was appointed to replace then-Supervisor Donald X. Clavin Jr., who suddenly resigned Aug. 5, 2025. 

Ferretti had resigned from his seat on the Nassau County Legislature earlier that day while in his fourth term. From 2010 to 2017, he served as chief deputy Nassau County clerk.

A judge ruled town officials held secret meetings to install Ferretti as supervisor without giving the public advance notice, as required under state transparency law. Scianablo said in court filings that this put his candidacy at a disadvantage during the 2025 race.

Ferretti sought to be removed from the case since he wasn’t a town official when the violations occurred, but the judge ruled last month he had acted in violation.

Ferretti defeated Scianablo last November with 52.99% of the vote compared with Scianablo’s 46.96%, according to Nassau County Board of Election results.

Jay Jacobs, chairman of the state and Nassau County Democratic committees, endorsed Scianablo Tuesday, stating in a news release  Scianablo has dedicated his life to protecting others.

“Joe has the courage to tell the truth, the experience to lead, and the determination to deliver real results for the people of Hempstead," Jacobs said in the news release.

A request for comment from the Nassau County Republican Committee was not immediately returned Tuesday.

Ferretti, in the lead-up to his election last November, ran on a platform that touted fiscally responsible budgeting and reducing costs without a decrease in services.

Scianablo said his campaign slogan is "No community left behind." 

"We're going to audit the town with independent experts, of course, financially and operationally," Scianablo said. "We want accountability. We want to repair what's been broken."