Craig G. Herskowitz for Assembly District 12
Craig G. Herskowitz, of Northport, is the Democratic candidate in this district. Credit: James Escher
Find out the candidates Newsday's editorial board has selected on your ballot: newsday.com/endorsements2026
New York's 12th Assembly District will be represented by a new face regardless of who wins on Election Day after incumbent Keith Brown announced he wouldn't seek reelection.
Democrat Craig G. Herskowitz, 45, is running against Republican David D. Weber Jr., 58. Both men live in Northport. Herskowitz is an immigration attorney who previously ran for Suffolk County Legislature and the State Senate, while Weber is a small-business owner, member of the Northport Village board of trustees, and a volunteer firefighter.
Herskowitz says the "mansion" tax enacted in 1989 on homes worth more than $1 million was not inflation-indexed and is saddling new buyers; he favors raising it to $2 million with automatic increases based on the Consumer Price Index. He is against piercing the state property tax cap or raising taxes on the middle class.
Weber wants the state to solve its energy crisis by fracking and buying energy from outside the state. He is critical of wind power, acknowledging the jobs created are beneficial but questioning whether wind farms generate energy. "I've yet to see whether they're producing results or not," he said. Weber added, "But if they come at the detriment of our ecosystem and our marine life, then we need to slow down and pump the brakes."
Weber said audits of state agencies, especially the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, would find savings.
Herskowitz argues that since Democrats will almost assuredly retain control of the Assembly, he would be able to better provide for district residents than Weber, who would be in the minority.
"If you want more money to go to New York City, you vote for the Republican on Long Island," Herskowitz said. "And if you want to check on the Democrats in the Assembly, you need to elect the Long Island Democrats."
Herskowitz has governmental experience, previously serving in the FBI and Department of Justice as well as an assistant counsel to the governor. Weber is a sound businessman better suited to addressing community issues at the local level.
Newsday Opinion endorses Herskowitz.
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.
