Juleigh Chin for Nassau Legislative District 9

The 9th District includes Mineola, North New Hyde Park, North Hills, Manhasset Hills, Searingtown, East Williston and parts of New Hyde Park and Williston Park.

Redistricting has brought most of the Herricks school district into this district's borders and established what's known as an "Asian influence district." More than a third of the electorate is now Asian American; before, no Nassau district had more than 12%.

That change, says Roslyn Democrat Juleigh Chin, "is opening new doors." The new map, she adds, "was created for someone like me."

Chin, current president of the Herricks school board, is challenging incumbent Scott P. Strauss, a Mineola Republican completing his first term. Strauss, the village's former mayor, had innovative ideas two years ago, pledging an active role in transforming the county's assessment system. He noted a desire to "rip the Band-Aid off," adding: "Just do it and stop talking about it."

But Strauss, 62, hasn't ripped the Band-Aid off on any significant county or district issue, and hasn't publicly tried to tackle assessment. He did not meet with the editorial board.

Chin, 53, takes a thoughtful approach in analyzing sweeping issues like affordability. Noting that high school taxes often translate to high quality schools, Chin says that's not the same for the county's high taxes which should mean better roads, parks and other county services. She promises a more responsive district office and can point to the district's troubled roads, vacant storefronts, empty lots and oft-flooded areas. Chin, who works for Northwell Health as an associate program manager, said she'd advocate for more county attention to Nassau University Medical Center and potential partnerships with other hospital systems. Among her other top priorities: upgrading Christopher Morley Park and reopening its pool.

Chin says the county cannot "sit still." She deserves the opportunity to push it forward.

Newsday Opinion endorses Chin.