Steven C. Englebright for Suffolk Legislative District 5

The 5th District covers northwestern Brookhaven Town south to Stony Brook and Terryville.

Environmental issues are in the forefront in the district which encompasses Port Jefferson, a harbor area with a rich history, strong waterfront economy and vibrant downtowns. Incumbent Democrat Steven C. Englebright, 79, of Setauket, is being challenged by Republican Laura M. Endres, 54, of South Setauket.

Englebright, a geologist by training, brings 30 years of experience in the state Assembly where he was the leading environmental protection advocate. Now again working on the county level, his extensive knowledge about water quality is especially important as Suffolk embarks on an ambitious plan to upgrade its sewer and septic systems.

Endres, an attorney and former Suffolk deputy county clerk, notes her family’s law enforcement background in citing what she called a crime problem in the district when she really talks about quality-of-life issues like gatherings of youths downtown, especially those riding e-bikes.

Endres raises a notable point about the newly created Working Waterfront Preservation Program — where will the county get the money to pay for it? Englebright agreed that money would need to be dedicated in the future for the program to function as effectively as the county’s successful land preservation efforts.

Endres said she favors redevelopment of existing commercial and unused land to spur housing affordability without detracting from a neighborhood’s character. Englebright, who has long supported adding apartments to commercial properties, pointed to his success in securing infrastructure projects, including $34 million to expand a wastewater treatment facility for the upper Port Jefferson business district.

The candidates disagreed sharply about how to rebuild the area around the Mill Pond Dam in Stony Brook that collapsed in August 2024. Endres said she would use her legal expertise to find a solution, including borrowing money. Englebright supported the county efforts to get the Ward Melville Heritage Organization, the landowner of a historic house near the failed dam, to complete a FEMA application, a key to the rebuilding.

Englebright’s lifetime of legislative and environmental experience is valuable and needed in county government.

Newsday Opinion endorses Englebright.