Our endorsement for Hempstead Town supervisor

On Aug. 5, Donald Clavin Jr., in his third term as Town of Hempstead supervisor, announced his resignation. Clavin at that point was assured of being elected Nov. 4 to a long-sought judgeship, with bipartisan backing.

Minutes later, the Republican-run town council approved the interim appointment of Nassau Legis. John R. Ferretti Jr. — the choice of Nassau GOP chairman Joe Cairo — to finish Clavin's term. 

Now Ferretti, 42, of Levittown — seeking his own full term — appears on the ballot with an incumbent's advantage against first-time Democratic candidate Joe Scianablo, 48, of Garden City.

See our pick for Town of Hempstead supervisor below.

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.