Richard J. Renna for Suffolk Legislative District 14
Republican Richard J. Renna, of Lindenhurst, is running for election in Suffolk County Legislature District 14. Credit: James Escher
Find out the candidates Newsday's editorial board selected on your ballot: newsday.com/endorsements2025
The 14th District covers the South Shore from Copiague east to Babylon Village plus Gilgo and Oak beaches.
When Kevin McCaffrey first ran for the Suffolk Legislature in 2013, he was deputy mayor of the Village of Lindenhurst. Now, 12 years later, McCaffrey is term-limited. Hoping to fill his shoes: Richard J. Renna, the Republican deputy mayor of Lindenhurst.
On the village board, Renna, 33, has focused on economic revitalization, noting that the village’s commercial vacancies have fallen from more than 20 to fewer than five.
Now, he hopes to bring that same enthusiasm to the county legislature, suggesting that areas like Copiague and West Babylon could benefit from similar improvements and supporting vital changes like adding bike lanes to county roads. The Lindenhurst resident recognizes he has a learning curve ahead in holding county office. But he’s very ready to try.
Renna’s previous Democratic challenger, Matthew McDonough, is no longer the nominee. He will appear on the November ballot as a candidate for a Supreme Court judgeship.
Newsday Opinion endorses Renna.
Note: The McDonough campaign was incorrectly identified previously.
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.
