In an unprecedented move, the League is supporting just two incumbent candidates for Suffolk County Legislature, a direct reflection of the failure by lawmakers to pass the Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act.
The League also announces their support of Ed Romaine for Suffolk County Executive, 12 candidates for the Nassau County Legislature, and eight Town Supervisors.
With a total of 23 new endorsements on Long Island, the New York League of Conservation Voters Gives Green is proud to support a bipartisan slate of candidates, including Ed Romaine for Suffolk County Executive, eight candidates for Town Supervisor across the island, and 12 candidates for the Nassau County Legislature.
However, when it comes to the Suffolk County Legislature, the League is only supporting candidates who have taken action to advance the Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act, NYLCV’s top priority in the county. At their public hearing on July 25, just two legislators—Samuel Gonzalez and Jason Richberg, who the League is endorsing—voted to place the water quality measure on the November ballot.
“In one of the most cynical political maneuvers I’ve seen in a long time, the Suffolk County Legislature decided against empowering their constituents to fix the water quality crisis that is happening, quite literally, in their backyards,” said NYLCV President Julie Tighe. “There is no time to waste when it comes to water quality and the health of Suffolk County residents, and so for the legislators who voted to go on recess from their responsibilities, NYLCV is choosing to recess their endorsements.”
By comparison, in the previous off-year election cycle, NYLCV endorsed a bipartisan group of 13 candidates for the Suffolk County Legislature, underscoring the ever-increasing importance of the water quality issue to the county’s residents—whose very health is at stake—as well as to business, labor, and environmental groups, who all supported the measure.
Last year was a big year for the environment at the ballot box. A record number of candidates sought NYLCV’s endorsement – indicating that the environment continues to grow in importance for voters – and New Yorkers overwhelmingly, and in bipartisan fashion, approved the Environmental Bond Act. NYLCV looks forward to carrying this momentum into the 2023 election and beyond, and we are proud to endorse the following candidates for elected office on Long Island:
(* indicates the candidate is an incumbent.)
Suffolk County Executive:
Ed Romaine (R)
Suffolk County Legislature:
Samuel Gonzalez (D)*
Jason Richberg (D)*
Nassau County Legislature:
Siela Bynoe (D)*
Carrié Solages (D)*
Debra Mule (D)*
Howard Kopel (R)*
John Giuffre (R)*
Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D)*
Thomas McKevitt (R)*
John Ferretti (R)*
Arnie Drucker (D)*
Rose Walker (R)*
Joshua Lafazan (D)*
Michael Giangregorio (R)*
Town Supervisors, Suffolk County
Kathee Burke-Gonzalez (D), Town of East Hampton
Angie Carpenter (R)*, Town of Islip
Maria Moore (D), Town of Southampton
Al Krupski (D), Town of Southold
Dan Panico (R), Town of Brookhaven
Town Supervisors, Nassau County
Donald Clavin, Jr. (R)*, Town of Hempstead
Jon Kaiman (D), Town of North Hempstead
Joseph Saladino (R)*, Town of Oyster Bay
Early voting for the general election runs from October 28 to November 5 and Election Day is on November 7. NYLCV will announce additional endorsements later this election season.
About the New York League of Conservation Voters Gives Green:
The New York League of Conservation Voters’ political action committee, NYLCV Gives Green, helps defend our allies and elect a new generation of environmental leaders. NYLCV Gives Green offers direct financial support that gives candidates the resources that they need to win their election so they can fight climate change, conserve land and water, and protect public health once they are in office. For more information, visit https://nylcv.org/givesgreen/.