Anthony H. Palumbo for State Senate District 1

As a member of the State Senate's Republican leadership, incumbent Anthony H. Palumbo, 56, of New Suffolk, plays a key role on criminal justice matters as well as ably serving the needs of his district, the easternmost on Long Island. 

Awaiting signature by the governor is a bill he carried allowing Riverhead Town to lease a former state armory to the YMCA of Long Island to provide recreational and community services. Another accomplishment this session was passing a law that overrides arbitrary decisions by a guardian that prevent family and friends from visiting someone under guardianship. He has repeatedly sought tribal recognition for the Montaukett Indian Nation and help for the district's vital fishing and aquaculture industries.

A former Suffolk County prosecutor and the ranking Republican on the Senate codes and judiciary committees, Palumbo has positioned himself as a moderating force on the Democratic majority’s criminal justice agenda, arguing that some recent reforms have gone too far in favoring defendants over victims and public safety.

Democratic challenger E. Christopher Murray, 63, of East Setauket, is a law firm partner with a special focus on environmental and real estate law along with an impressive record of pro bono representation. As a former chairman of the Suffolk County Community College board of trustees, Murray said he would push for more funding for higher education.

He seeks to lower the state sales tax and replace that revenue with an income tax increase on the top 8% of state earners. He also supports replacing private health insurance with a single-payer state system based on one's ability to pay. At times, Murray sounds like he is running against the Trump administration, pledging to fight battles not necessarily waged in Albany.

Palumbo, who is seeking his fourth term, says government isn’t the answer to every need and that when the state does well and has more revenue, it should reduce taxes, not find ways to spend it.

Palumbo has made his mark as an outspoken opponent of an effort by the left to pressure judges to be more lenient in sentencing criminal defendants. Palumbo led the pushback in 2023 against the sabotaging of the nomination of appellate judge Hector LaSalle as chief of the state's top court for not meeting a liberal checklist. With another opening on the top court due next year, Palumbo's voice will be needed to ensure that Court of Appeals judges are selected for their impartiality, not their political agenda. 

Newsday Opinion endorses Palumbo.