James F. Mazzarella for Suffolk Legislative District 3
Suffolk Legis. James F. Mazzarella (R-Moriches) is running for reelection in the 3rd District. Credit: James Escher
Find out the candidates Newsday's editorial board selected on your ballot: newsday.com/endorsements2025
The 3rd District covers southeastern Brookhaven Town.
Ask Moriches Republican James F. Mazzarella about coconut husk and sugar kelp.
He’ll tell you at length all about how husk is critical to his district’s marshland habitat restoration to combat invasive species and reduce mosquito larvae, and how sugar kept restored oysters there that stopped growing for years. These are just some of the critical coastal resiliency initiatives in his shorefront district that he supports and is passionate about, in addition to returning properties to nature. This commitment to building natural defenses is vital as Long Island faces record flooding and sea level rise.
A lot of infrastructure improvements are coming to fruition in his area. The Suffolk legislator doesn’t take full credit, but is eager to get them over the finish line for his constituents. After 15 years, the Forge River Sewer District pipes are in the ground and the new Smith Point Bridge just got Department of Transportation approval, the last step before building can begin.
Mazzarella, 59, continued to do a heavy caseload of constituent services, including helping with absentee landlords and other quality of life issues, in his second full term after winning a 2021 special election.
Mazzarella’s opponent, Democrat Beverly A. Theodore, is not campaigning.
Newsday Opinion endorses Mazzarella.
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.
