Thomas P. Donnelly for Suffolk Legislative District 17
Legis. Thomas P. Donnelly (D-Deer Park) is running for reelection in the Suffolk County Legislature District 17. Credit: James Escher
Find out the candidates Newsday's editorial board selected on your ballot: newsday.com/endorsements2025
The 17th District covers most of southern Huntington Town, including parts of Melville, Dix Hills and South Huntington, south to Deer Park and parts of North Babylon and North Bay Shore.
Democrat Thomas P. Donnelly, who is seeking a fifth term, has a puzzle-piece district that straddles Route 110, an area busy with major projects such as sewers to revitalize Huntington Station and the redevelopment of an aging Melville office park to a mixed-use community. Those efforts require cooperation by many levels of government, says the self-described "old-fashioned elected official."
Donnelly, 59, of Deer Park, says it is a challenge to hold down taxes without hurting services but he's a firm believer in adhering to the tax cap.
Republican Kevin P. Judge is not actively campaigning.
Newsday Opinion endorses Donnelly.
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.
