Why did Anne Donnelly skip Nassau swearing-in event?

Daily Point

District attorney was a prominent inaugural presence four years ago

One of Nassau’s reelected countywide incumbents was conspicuously missing last Monday from ceremonies at the Cradle of Aviation in Uniondale — District Attorney Anne Donnelly, who decisively won a second term despite a strong challenge from first-time Democratic candidate Nicole Aloise.

Nobody on the rostrum who spoke chose to explain Donnelly’s absence, even as some praised her performance in office and her November victory. On Thursday, Martin Meaney, the DA’s spokesman, told The Point by text: "She had a personal conflict that evening," of which she’d informed County Executive Bruce Blakeman beforehand. Donnelly was sworn in for her second term at a smaller, separate gathering the previous week. Pressed on what kept her from the Jan. 12 ceremony — whether it was a matter of family or health — Meaney said it was a family-related reason and did not elaborate.

Aloise had worked for the previous DA, Madeline Singas, who’s now a Court of Appeals judge, and during the recent campaign drew surprising union support and noted an exodus of lawyers from the office since Donnelly took over. But in the election, Donnelly’s ballot totals corresponded to the rest of the Republican county ticket, or about 55%-45%.

During her speech, Elaine Phillips, the newly inaugurated second-term comptroller, blamed the "hijacking of our county and town elections" as a "direct assault upon the freedom of our residents." Gov. Kathy Hochul "and her Albany buddies think they know what’s best for us, but the answer is they don’t," said Phillips. By contrast Blakeman, the GOP nominee-in-waiting against Hochul in the fall, didn’t mention Hochul and began his high-profile criticisms of his opponent the following day, with her State of the State speech.

Blakeman thanked Donnelly in absentia "for restoring law and order in our county, she’s a great prosecutor."

Because she was new to the position in 2022, Donnelly's appearance when inaugurated drew prominent countywide attention. Speaking to the audience at that time, she underscored her many years as an assistant district attorney and an array of relationships she’d developed in law enforcement.

After her swearing-in on Jan. 5 this year, various guests and elected officials sang her praises on social media. "Her leadership continues to strengthen our justice system and reinforce the importance of public safety," wrote Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti Jr.

Nassau County Clerk Maureen O'Connell, described by Blakeman as "the most popular politician in Nassau County," was sworn in for a sixth term.

Donnelly also missed newly reelected Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino acting as master of ceremonies. He said that, at the aviation museum, the crowd was "surrounded by the aircraft that made history. And at this moment, we too make history by swearing in some of the greatest leaders of our time!"

— Dan Janison dan.janison@newsday.com

Pencil Point

Thin ice?

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Final Point

NYS gov candidate got Trump pardon through connection

Getting a presidential pardon these days may seem like a breeze, and in some ways, it is — if you know the right people close to President Donald Trump.

While some of Trump’s multitudinous pardons have been controversial (think Jan. 6, 2021), not all have been contentious. Take Jim Kernan, a lawyer from upstate now living in New York City who is running a write-in campaign for governor and has Long Island connections.

In 2006, Kernan’s insurance company was raided by the FBI for allegedly providing unauthorized workers' compensation insurance policies. Kernan pleaded guilty to employing a three-time felon at his company and was sentenced to probation, community service and a hefty fine back in 2010. But last May, Trump gave Kernan and his wife full and unconditional pardons.

The reason? Kernan’s benefactor, Rep. Claudia Tenney of New York’s upstate 24th Congressional District, is full-on MAGA.

Decades ago, Kernan worked for New York State Supreme Court Justice John R. Tenney, who died in 2004. Kernan said Tenney’s daughter, Claudia, took up his case with Trump during his first term, then again in his second term.

"Claudia worked like the devil to make sure she got to Trump," Kernan told The Point. "He ... basically turned to Claudia and said, ‘Is this what you want?’ and she said, ‘Yes,’ and he said, ‘Then you’ve got it.’ ”

Tenney is a staunch Trump supporter who last week nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize — the third time she has done so.

Kernan developed Long Island connections through his business. His campaign treasurer, Euripides Kavazis, lives in Plainview and is a longtime friend. Kernan was involved with ABBA, the Able Body of Believers Alliance, a Hempstead nonprofit that provides, among other things, job training to "hard to employ" workers.

And while helping immigrants and disadvantaged workers may not sound like a typical MAGA rallying cry, Kernan said helping workers become self-sustaining members of society is MAGA.

"It is a MAGA concept to pull yourself up by your own bootstraps and take care of yourself," Kernan, formerly a Republican and now an independent, told The Point.

Kernan admitted his campaign is to raise awareness of his cause, and that his odds of winning in November are slim to none. But with a Trump pardon on his resume, Kernan just may garner some positive attention for his cause — and a few votes.

— Mark Nolan mark.nolan@newsday.com

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