Al Graf to represent New York’s 5th Assembly District

Many elected officials want to claim credit for the package of heroin legislation passed in Albany this year. Republican Al Graf, 58, of Holbrook, seeking his fourth term in the Assembly, is one who deserves the recognition.

He sat on the Assembly Minority Task Force on Heroin Addiction & Community Response, helping lead the conversation about the epidemic and craft proposals to address it.

Graf’s experience as a New York City cop, a town supervisor in the Adirondacks and a teacher prepared him well for the role.

He faces Democrat Deborah Slinkowsky, 60, of Holbrook, a county social services employee whom Graf beat two years ago. She is a spirited fighter for more funding for local schools, but can’t match Graf’s broad grasp of the issues.

There’s plenty yet to do on heroin, and Graf’s focus there will continue to serve the state and the district well.

Newsday endorses Graf.