Blakeman calls Feb. 28 special election for vacant 19th District legislative seat

                                                                                

19th Nassau County legislative district


Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman has called a special election for the end of February to fill the vacancy on the county legislature created when Republican Steve Rhoads last fall defeated Democrat incumbent John Brooks for the 5th District state senate seat.

Steve Rhoads

Under the County Charter, the county executive must call a special election within 60 days of the vacancy occurring, unless the opening occurs later in the year.

So Blakeman just squeaked by the deadline.

Rhoads, of Bellmore, was one of several Republicans who won formerly Democratic elected seats in November, from Congress through the state senate and Assembly .  Of course, one of them is now Congressman George Santos, who has admitted "embellishing" his resume and has been caught in multiple lies.

Although the 19th legislative district is considered a fairly safe Republican seat, the pall cast by the Santos scandal may effect the outcome. The South Shore District includes Bellmore. Wantagh and Seaford. 

There has been a dearth of potential candidates talked about in the political rumor mill. Special election candidates are chosen by the party chairmen.

The Santos aftermath means hopefuls should be squeaky clean, which would put a damper on potential comeback of the former legislator from that district, Democrat David Denenberg, who resigned in 2015 after pleading guilty to fraudulently billing a client of his private law firm for work he did not do.

Until Rhoads resigned on Jan. 1, Republicans held 12 of the 19 legislative seats.

John Brooks


The most interesting name in the mix of candidates is  Brooks, who is from Seaford and has a built in constituency.

We will have to see.  

Meanwhile, the Hempstead Town Council seat vacated by now Congressman Anthony D'Esposito also has yet to be filled. In that case, the Republican- controlled town board appoints. 

Here is the charter provision on filling vacant legislative seats

                                                                                 




 



 


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