Leslie A. Kennedy for Suffolk Legislative District 12
Republican Legis. Leslie A. Kennedy, of Nesconset, is running for reelection in Suffolk County Legislature District 12. Credit: James Escher
Find out the candidates Newsday's editorial board selected on your ballot: newsday.com/endorsements2025
The 12th District covers central and southern Smithtown Town east to parts of Centereach.
Incumbent Leslie A. Kennedy, 69, is fixated on keeping her district green, finding “little squares and patches” to add to parks or protect from development, as she puts it. She recently got an agreement for the county’s land preservation fund to buy 10 acres in Nesconset, where she lives, as well as a small strip off Jericho Turnpike in Smithtown.
The Republican is also among a group of legislators working to stop the groundwater runoff that brings geese waste and other pollutants into Lake Ronkonkoma.
Running for her fifth term, Kennedy keeps up her extensive constituent service, which the former nurse says makes her feel like a social worker. She is a strong voice for the needs of seniors struggling to age in place on Long Island.
Deborah B. Monaco, of Smithtown, who works for the county Democratic Party, ran for the seat in a 2015 special election. She is not actively campaigning.
Newsday Opinion endorses Kennedy.
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.
