Now the choice is yours: A guide to Newsday's endorsements

A Hofstra/Newsday/nextLI survey shows that Long Island voters are itching to send a message to state and federal officials. Early turnout and absentee ballot returns have been strong. Stepping out to your local polling spot Tuesday will be your final chance to have your say. 

Please do so.

Over the last several weeks, the editorial board has published endorsements in 41 races, one state bonding proposal, and two Suffolk County ballot initiatives. We do not endorse in judicial races because it is pointless; voters have no real choice when parties cross-endorse judges. While no judicial system is free from politics, a state appointive system would be a better mechanism if the selection of candidates could be pried from the thumbs of party bosses.

The editorial board, which is separate from Newsday's news operation, met with the candidates to better understand how they would vote on state and national issues critically important to our region. We reviewed each candidate's past experience, policy positions, and skill sets for the offices they are seeking. Often, choosing was not easy. We selected the candidates who were the most informed, who can work to achieve bipartisan goals and compromises, who want to make our political system work rather than implode it.

Below is a list of our recommendations. We understand our choices won't be the preference of all our readers. That is why each endorsement also highlights the strengths of candidates we did not select. Sometimes, honestly, we think both are lousy. But you have to make a choice on your ballot, so we do, too. Our goal is to better inform you to help you make up your mind. The full text of each endorsement can be found at newsday.com/opinion/endorsements.

Endorsements are a tradition here and one we take seriously. We clearly don't seek to pick winners, or our score card would be higher. We have no loyalty to a party, or to the movement of the moment. Our aim is to serve our community and to assist readers who want an independent vetting of the candidates, someone to help them cut through the noise and slogans. Historically, Long Islanders have turned to our section for informed opinion and that is what we aim to deliver. May the arguments continue.

U.S. Senate

Charles E. Schumer, Democrat

House of Representatives

1st Congressional District:

Bridget M. Fleming, Democrat

2nd Congressional District:

Andrew R. Garbarino, Republican

3rd Congressional District:

Robert P. Zimmerman, Democrat

4th Congressional District:

Laura A. Gillen, Democrat

New York State

Governor: Kathy C. Hochul,

Democrat

Attorney general: Letitia A. James, Democrat

Comptroller: Thomas P. DiNapoli, Democrat

Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs environmental bond act: Yes

New York State Senate

1st SD: Anthony H. Palumbo,

Republican

2nd SD: Susan A. Berland,

Democrat

3rd SD: Dean Murray, Republican

4th SD: Monica R. Martinez,

Democrat

5th SD: John E. Brooks, Democrat

6th SD: Kevin M. Thomas, Democrat

7th SD: Jack Martins,

Republican

8th SD: No endorsement in this race.Here‘s why.

9th SD: Patricia M. Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Republican

New York State Assembly

1st AD: Fred W. Thiele Jr.,

Democrat

2nd AD: Jodi A. Giglio,

Republican

3rd AD: Joseph P. DeStefano,

Republican

4th AD: Steven Englebright,

Democrat

5th AD: Douglas M. Smith,

Republican

6th AD: Philip R. Ramos, Democrat

7th AD: Jarett C. Gandolfo,

Republican

8th AD: Michael J. Fitzpatrick, Republican

9th AD: Michael A. Durso, Republican

10th AD: Steve Stern, Democrat

11th AD: Kimberly Jean-Pierre,

Democrat

12th AD: Keith Brown, Republican

13th AD: Charles D. Lavine,

Democrat

14th AD: David G. McDonough, Republican

15th AD: Jake Ryan Blumencranz, Republican

16th AD: Gina L. Sillitti, Democrat

17th AD: John K. Mikulin, Republican

18th AD: Taylor R. Darling, Democrat

19th AD: Edward P. Ra, Republican

20th AD: Michael A. Delury, Democrat

21st AD: Judy A. Griffin, Democrat

22nd AD: Michaelle C. Solages, Democrat

Suffolk County

Comptroller: John M. Kennedy Jr., Republican

Clerk: Vincent A. Puleo, Conservative

East End housing fund referendum: Yes

Suffolk term limits: Yes