Presumptive Frontrunners in Nassau Legislative Races

 


Barring any personal feuds, the Nassau Police Benevolent Association traditionally endorses local political candidates that internal union polls indicate are most likely to win.

They are not always right. 

However, if the union is accurate this year,  it means Republicans will keep the majority on the 19-member legislature but again will fall short of the 13 members needed for a super majority.

Political insiders consider that only a few seats are in play this November: There is District 14, now held by Republican Bill Gaylor of Lynbrook and District 16, filled by Democratic Arnold Drucker, elected after longtime Democratic legislator and former presiding officer Judy Jacobs died in 2016. 

Gaylor is not seeking re-election in the traditional Republican district that was redrawn to be more competitive for both parties this year.

Democrat Cynthia Nunez, a member of the Valley Stream  school board, is running against Republican Sheharyar Ali, an attorney from Elmont, for the 14th District seat.  Ali made a strong but unsuccessful run against Democrat Legis. Carrie Solages of Elmont two years ago.

Meanwhile, Republican Jennifer Gallub Pravato, wife of Oyster Bay Receiver of Taxes Jeffrey Pravado, is campaigning hard against lDrucker of Plainview. She is hitting Drucker hard about his helping to write a state bill that gave tax breaks that saved him about $28,000 in property taxes in 2022.

In turn, Drucker has filed a complaint against Gallub Pravota, contending she is falsely claming to reside in a Farmingdale walk up apartment in the 16th district while actually living in a house she owns in Massapequa, which is outside the district.

Both deny any wrongdoing.

The PBA is going with Nunez and Drucker.

Although the 15th District seat is open, vacated by Republican John Ferretti of Levittown who was appointed Town of Hempstead supervisor after Don Clavin resigned, most bets are on Republican Kayla Knight, an attorney from Wantagh to carry the district, in a race against Democrat Stephen Richard Hellman. also an attorney from Wantagh.

Democrats are hoping they can defeat Republican incumbent Scott Strauss, a former mayor of Mineola, with Democrat Juleigh Chin  of Herricks in the 9th District, which was redrawn to give greater representation to  Asian Americans. But the PBA is sticking with Strauss. a retired NYCD police detective.

The Superior Officers Association also has made its endorsement as has the Corrections officers Benevolent Association but neither is considered the same bellweather as the PBA.

                                                                                 


 

                                                                                   


 

 

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

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