Patricia M. Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick for State Senate District 9

Seeking her third term, lifelong Malverne resident Patricia M. Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick argues that Republicans, despite being the minority, are the more effective advocates for Long Island. 

"We are a strong group," she said, and their joint efforts consistently highlight how the region is "so unique and different from the rest of the state." Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick's top issues are water quality, climate resiliency and financial assistance for volunteer firefighters. 

She wants to improve how local fire departments communicate with the Long Island Rail Road during emergencies, not only to reduce any delays in emergency response but to protect train passengers and residents living near rail lines.

As a member of the Senate Mental Health Committee, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, who turns 61 this month, wants to incentivize school districts to work with mental health professionals to better identify and help those students at risk. Her bill would allow reimbursements of up to $50,000 annually to districts to ease the cost on taxpayers. She also wants the state to develop and include suicide prevention and depression information in the health curriculum.

She was successful in making the Island Park Public Library eligible for discounted borrowing through the state last year, and obtained $150,000 for the Village of Lawrence for better lighting along the Nassau Expressway to improve public safety.

Challenger Lisa Malkie Vider, 48, of Hewlett Bay Park, is a Democrat and first-time candidate. After almost 30 years running an assisted care facility and lobbying for the nursing home industry in Albany, her focus understandably is on healthcare. She want to reduce the cost of care, in part by reducing regulations, and improve the quality of care.

As a potential member of the likely Democratic majority, she says she could do more for the district than her opponent. Vider said she is seeking elective office to bring attention to combating the rise in antisemitism. She would like to expand state civil rights law to include protection from religious discrimination on college campuses. 

Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, an attorney, also is deeply concerned about the rise in antisemitism and co-sponsored a bill that would require the state's colleges and universities to report antisemitic incidents and provide a description of what corrective action the institution took.

Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick has a good track record of delivering for and listening to her community, and deserves another term. 

Newsday Opinion endorses Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick.