Who we're endorsing: For Nassau County Comptroller

Again this year, we are releasing our endorsements to your inbox before they are published in print. In this newsletter, we explain our choice for Nassau County comptroller, an open seat, and provide a list of candidates we have already endorsed. Coming soon will be endorsements in the Huntington and Hempstead town supervisor races, as well as our selections in the district attorney races in Nassau and Suffolk.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, Long Island candidates did not come to our office for in-person meetings. Instead, the board interviewed candidates by Zoom.

The race: Nassau County Comptroller

Democrat Ryan Cronin vs. Republican Elaine Phillips

This race became an open seat when current Nassau County Comptroller Jack Schnirman decided not to seek reelection following a scandal in which he was found to have been overpaid for leave time while Long Beach city manager.

Cronin is an attorney who unsuccessfully ran for New York State Senate twice. Phillips is the former mayor of Flower Hill and a former New York state senator, who was defeated seeking a second term back in 2018.

Our pick

Both challengers are undoubtedly qualified for the job.

Phillips has had a long career in finance and the necessary experience. She said she would use the comptroller's powers to audit the county's assessment efforts and suggested getting rid of the Nassau County Interim Finance Authority.

Cronin said he'd focus on Nassau's antiquated technology that won't be able to comply with coming accounting standards and the county's contracting and vendor payment processes. While not flashy, both are critical problems to address. He also applauded but rightly critiqued Nassau County Executive Laura Curran on fees and the budget's structural gap.

Phillips had few new ideas for the office and did not acknowledge the consequences of abolishing NIFA. In his bid for comptroller, Cronin has found a position for which he is suited.

Newsday endorses Cronin. Here's our challenge to him if elected.

Election reads and resources

— Give our interactive endorsement guide a try here to see what races are on your ballot and whether we've endorsed in them yet.

— Since our last newsletter we have endorsed for Nassau County Clerk, Town of East Hampton Supervisor and Town of Smithtown Supervisor, click the links to see who we chose.

—There are five proposed amendments to the state constitution on the November ballot. Learn more about them and our takes on their propositions regarding voting, redistricting, the environment and more here.

Follow @NewsdayOpinion on Twitter and on Instagram to see more from the candidates. Stay tuned for our next special edition newsletter next week.

Endorsements are determined solely by the Newsday editorial board, a team of opinion journalists focused on issues of public policy and governance. Newsday’s news division has no role in this process.