Up and Coming in the Empire State: Long Island
Mon, 12 May 2008 15:40:00
Their constituencies are often spread across many miles, but that has not stopped the next generation of New York State’s elected leaders from making themselves known and prompting intense speculation into their political futures.
The Capitol has identified five of the most promising up-and-comers in each of the state’s seven regions outside of New York City. Ages were not taken into account in the development of these lists. What matters here is potential, which everyone in this group has in abundance.
Kate Murray (R)
Hempstead Town Supervisor
Age: 45
In 2001, Kate Murray gave up her Assembly seat to become Hempstead Town Clerk. But this was no demotion, she says, arguing that the position in the government of America’s largest township—population 800,000—enabled her to get more done than as a member of the Assembly minority. Plus, she said, the clerk’s office put her in a much better position for higher office down the line.
“It’s the way to go in Nassau County,” Murray said.
And so it went. Two years after becoming Clerk, Murray was chief executive of what would be, if reincorporated, the state’s second largest city. In two years, Murray went from being a junior member of a super-minority to the most powerful municipal leader on Long Island.
Murray touts her fiscal record in Hempstead, which boasts a high bond rating helped by an active pursuit of grants and trimming of the town workforce. But she is most proud of her record on the environment and social services for senior citizens, noting that her budget work has allowed her to pursue innovative initiatives in these areas.
“We go way beyond our basic mandate,” she said. “We are very aggressive for Long Island.”
Murray has been mentioned as a potential candidate for higher office, on either the countywide or statewide level. She loves being supervisor, she said, but added that she is interested in continuing her rise through the political ranks in the years to come.
What is your biggest accomplishment in office so far? “Making the Town of Hempstead the greenest government on Long Island, while at the same time keeping a rock-solid financial base.”
What do you want to accomplish in the next two years, governmentally and politically? “To continue to get the highest bond ratings from the Wall Street houses. That will allow me to continue to pursue an aggressive environmental agenda, an aggressive social services agenda for seniors and to work with developers to protect our suburban way of life.”
What are the top challenges facing New York State right now? Controlling state spending to keep the budget deficit under control; pursuing an aggressive environmental agenda; reducing taxes.
Kevan Abrahams (D)
Deputy Presiding Officer
Nassau County Legislature
Age: 33
A college internship with Rep. Floyd Flake (D-Queens) helped put Kevan Abrahams on the path to elected life. Following stops as a staffer for both Flake and Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-Nassau), Abrahams worked in the business world before joining the county legislature’s budget staff. He was tapped to fill a vacated seat six years ago.
Placed in charge of key committees, including public works and economic development, Abrahams took the legislature’s number two position earlier this year. After fellow County Legislator David Mejias (D) broke off with party leaders for not supporting a legislative pay raise, Abrahams was tapped to replace Mejias as the vice chairman of the powerful Rules Committee.
He had been mentioned as a potential challenger to State Sen. Kemp Hannon (R-Nassau), possibly even for this year—but with his first child on the way, he decided to skip the race. But Mejias’ problems within the party have set off renewed speculation about an Abrahams candidacy. Abrahams insists there is nothing to the rumors, noting his personal situation has not changed. Though he did make a trip to Albany in January, Abrahams says he is currently thinking that McCarthy’s congressional seat might be right for him, whenever she decides to stop seeking re-election herself.
“If I could make the quantum leap to the federal level, I would love to see that,” he said.
But he also discusses issues much further afield of his neighborhood, focusing on the sagging Upstate economy.
“New York State needs to pay more attention to the Upstate economy,” he said. “Until we help the cities of Rochester and Buffalo, we will not be whole. It’s a glaring issue that has not gotten a lot of attention down here. It’s sad to a large degree.”
What is your biggest accomplishment in office so far? “I spearheaded an economic development project in Roosevelt. That area has not seen economic development in years. It is a road restoration and community façade project. It will hopefully move the area along.”
What do you want to accomplish in the next two years, governmentally and politically? “I want to come up with a concrete solution to stabilize property taxes. The county is doing our part and the schools and municipalities need to come up with a solution, and it will need state support.”
What are the top challenges facing New York State right now? Property tax relief; upstate economic development.
Craig Johnson (D)
State Senator
Age: 37
Craig Johnson keeps finding himself being drafted for special elections in which the legislative balance of power is at stake. In 2000, Johnson ran for the Nassau County Legislature to succeed his late mother—a race in which the Democrats’ new one-seat majority hung in the balance. After serving as the youngest finance chairman in county history, Johnson last year won Mike Balboni’s (R) former Senate seat, becoming the only Democratic senator on Long Island.
Johnson has been increasingly visible, staking out local government reform as his key issue. Johnson has been more active on district issues, including his opposition to the Long Island Rail Road’s (LIRR) proposal to place a third line through his district.
After having taken a longtime Republican seat in one of the most watched Senate races in state history, Johnson was expected to face a strong challenge this year. But Republicans have yet to formally announce a candidate and few expect a strong GOP contender to emerge, though rumors of Balboni’s return persist. Plandome Manor Mayor Barbara Donno (R), a former school board president with the ability to self-finance, is said to be Johnson’s likely opponent.
If the Democrats take the majority this year, Johnson could find himself the most powerful senator on Long Island, especially if no other nearby Democrat wins. Johnson, though, said that while he anticipates being the majority, he also anticipates having fellow islanders in the conference with him.
“I’m confident that I will not be a lonely Democratic Long Island senator come the fall,” he said. “I am working on the assumption that the rest of the Senate districts are tired of the status quo.”
What is your biggest accomplishment in office so far? “Securing $41 million in state aid for Long Island schools in the last two budgets. This is based on direct negotiations with the former governor and Gov. Paterson.”
What do you want to accomplish in the next two years, governmentally and politically? “Obviously, taking the majority. There are a lot of great pieces of legislation that have not moved because they are sponsored by Democrats.”
What are the top challenges facing New York State right now? Economy; budget deficit; property tax reform; addressing the subprime mortgage crisis.
Marc Alessi (D)
Assembly Member
Age: 31
While serving as Long Island district director for the state comptroller, Democrat Marc Alessi was twice approached to seek elective office, at both the county and town levels. With a newborn child and his wife undergoing treatment for breast cancer, Alessi declined both offers. Then one day, while on business in Albany, friends asked him if he would be interested in succeeding Assembly Member Patricia Acampora (R) one day.
“I promised that when she left, I would run,” Alessi said.
He expected Acampora to serve for years to come. A week later, she resigned.
With Acampora headed to the Public Service Commission, Alessi had to make a snap decision on his week-old promise. His wife encouraged him to make the race, saying that he could bring first-hand knowledge of health care costs—her cancer treatments ran over $100,000 on their insurance—to the Legislature. He took on the uphill race as a Democrat in a Republican district on the Island’s easternmost tip.
Since taking his seat, Alessi has made Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) reform and alternative energy his top issues, continuing work he started in the comptroller’s office. He has received a commitment from State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli (D) that LIPA will be audited when the energy provider announces rate increases.
Young and with the proven potential to win a historically Republican district, Alessi has become the object of some speculation already. He said he is not sure of what the future may hold, but stressed his commitment to remaining in the Assembly and keeping his options open for now.
What is your biggest accomplishment in office so far? “The reform of LIPA.”
What do you want to accomplish in the next two years, governmentally and politically? “I would like to see the state foster policies to create alternative energy in New York State. I also want to put the focus I put on LIPA on to HMOs. Health care is the fastest growing cost sector in the public and private sectors.”
What are the top challenges facing New York State right now? Property tax reform; fixing the aging infrastructure.
Jon Kaiman (D)
North Hempstead Town Supervisor
Age: 46
Involved in public affairs and politics since high school, Jon Kaiman had been North Hempstead’s public safety commissioner when he entered elective office in 2000 as a district court judge at the advice of then-Assembly Member Tom DiNapoli (D), then the Nassau County Democratic Chairman. Following an interim appointment that April, Kaiman won a six-year term on the bench in November of that year, settling in for what looked like a long judicial career.
Kaiman resigned from his judgeship in 2003. He wanted a role in making policy, and sought the vacant town supervisor’s office. Now in his third term in town hall, Kaiman points to his customer service approach as supervisor, including creation of a town 311 system and partnerships with village governments in North Hempstead to address issues. Following the lead of larger urban governments, Kaiman has introduced the Citistat management system to the suburban community.
After three elections as chief executive of one of the state’s largest towns, Kaiman is often mentioned as a possible candidate for county executive or Congress. His aggressive fundraising—his campaign account currently totals over $327,000—and high public profile have helped fuel this speculation.
“In this business it’s hard to plan your future,” Kaiman said. “I consider myself an aggressive political animal and I am confident running a government like North Hempstead.”
Though he wants to continue in government, he said he might want to do so without being a candidate himself.
“Working with a future governor or president would be good,” he said. “I do not need to be the elected official.”
What is your biggest accomplishment in office so far? “A parks and roads transfer with Nassau County. The town took over parks and roads from the county, allowing us to better utilize these services. This transfer provides services and access to residents, and in a larger sense is how government should work.”
What do you want to accomplish in the next two years, governmentally and politically? “My number-one goal in government is to give people confidence that government works. If people can understand the process where we make decisions, we will fulfill our role in government.”
What are the top challenges facing New York State right now? Reducing the cost of doing business in the state; reducing the cost of maintaining infrastructure; improving the environment
The Capitol has identified five of the most promising up-and-comers in each of the state’s seven regions outside of New York City. Ages were not taken into account in the development of these lists. What matters here is potential, which everyone in this group has in abundance.
Kate Murray (R)
Hempstead Town Supervisor
Age: 45
In 2001, Kate Murray gave up her Assembly seat to become Hempstead Town Clerk. But this was no demotion, she says, arguing that the position in the government of America’s largest township—population 800,000—enabled her to get more done than as a member of the Assembly minority. Plus, she said, the clerk’s office put her in a much better position for higher office down the line.
“It’s the way to go in Nassau County,” Murray said.
And so it went. Two years after becoming Clerk, Murray was chief executive of what would be, if reincorporated, the state’s second largest city. In two years, Murray went from being a junior member of a super-minority to the most powerful municipal leader on Long Island.
Murray touts her fiscal record in Hempstead, which boasts a high bond rating helped by an active pursuit of grants and trimming of the town workforce. But she is most proud of her record on the environment and social services for senior citizens, noting that her budget work has allowed her to pursue innovative initiatives in these areas.
“We go way beyond our basic mandate,” she said. “We are very aggressive for Long Island.”
Murray has been mentioned as a potential candidate for higher office, on either the countywide or statewide level. She loves being supervisor, she said, but added that she is interested in continuing her rise through the political ranks in the years to come.
What is your biggest accomplishment in office so far? “Making the Town of Hempstead the greenest government on Long Island, while at the same time keeping a rock-solid financial base.”
What do you want to accomplish in the next two years, governmentally and politically? “To continue to get the highest bond ratings from the Wall Street houses. That will allow me to continue to pursue an aggressive environmental agenda, an aggressive social services agenda for seniors and to work with developers to protect our suburban way of life.”
What are the top challenges facing New York State right now? Controlling state spending to keep the budget deficit under control; pursuing an aggressive environmental agenda; reducing taxes.
Kevan Abrahams (D)
Deputy Presiding Officer
Nassau County Legislature
Age: 33
A college internship with Rep. Floyd Flake (D-Queens) helped put Kevan Abrahams on the path to elected life. Following stops as a staffer for both Flake and Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-Nassau), Abrahams worked in the business world before joining the county legislature’s budget staff. He was tapped to fill a vacated seat six years ago.
Placed in charge of key committees, including public works and economic development, Abrahams took the legislature’s number two position earlier this year. After fellow County Legislator David Mejias (D) broke off with party leaders for not supporting a legislative pay raise, Abrahams was tapped to replace Mejias as the vice chairman of the powerful Rules Committee.
He had been mentioned as a potential challenger to State Sen. Kemp Hannon (R-Nassau), possibly even for this year—but with his first child on the way, he decided to skip the race. But Mejias’ problems within the party have set off renewed speculation about an Abrahams candidacy. Abrahams insists there is nothing to the rumors, noting his personal situation has not changed. Though he did make a trip to Albany in January, Abrahams says he is currently thinking that McCarthy’s congressional seat might be right for him, whenever she decides to stop seeking re-election herself.
“If I could make the quantum leap to the federal level, I would love to see that,” he said.
But he also discusses issues much further afield of his neighborhood, focusing on the sagging Upstate economy.
“New York State needs to pay more attention to the Upstate economy,” he said. “Until we help the cities of Rochester and Buffalo, we will not be whole. It’s a glaring issue that has not gotten a lot of attention down here. It’s sad to a large degree.”
What is your biggest accomplishment in office so far? “I spearheaded an economic development project in Roosevelt. That area has not seen economic development in years. It is a road restoration and community façade project. It will hopefully move the area along.”
What do you want to accomplish in the next two years, governmentally and politically? “I want to come up with a concrete solution to stabilize property taxes. The county is doing our part and the schools and municipalities need to come up with a solution, and it will need state support.”
What are the top challenges facing New York State right now? Property tax relief; upstate economic development.
Craig Johnson (D)
State Senator
Age: 37
Craig Johnson keeps finding himself being drafted for special elections in which the legislative balance of power is at stake. In 2000, Johnson ran for the Nassau County Legislature to succeed his late mother—a race in which the Democrats’ new one-seat majority hung in the balance. After serving as the youngest finance chairman in county history, Johnson last year won Mike Balboni’s (R) former Senate seat, becoming the only Democratic senator on Long Island.
Johnson has been increasingly visible, staking out local government reform as his key issue. Johnson has been more active on district issues, including his opposition to the Long Island Rail Road’s (LIRR) proposal to place a third line through his district.
After having taken a longtime Republican seat in one of the most watched Senate races in state history, Johnson was expected to face a strong challenge this year. But Republicans have yet to formally announce a candidate and few expect a strong GOP contender to emerge, though rumors of Balboni’s return persist. Plandome Manor Mayor Barbara Donno (R), a former school board president with the ability to self-finance, is said to be Johnson’s likely opponent.
If the Democrats take the majority this year, Johnson could find himself the most powerful senator on Long Island, especially if no other nearby Democrat wins. Johnson, though, said that while he anticipates being the majority, he also anticipates having fellow islanders in the conference with him.
“I’m confident that I will not be a lonely Democratic Long Island senator come the fall,” he said. “I am working on the assumption that the rest of the Senate districts are tired of the status quo.”
What is your biggest accomplishment in office so far? “Securing $41 million in state aid for Long Island schools in the last two budgets. This is based on direct negotiations with the former governor and Gov. Paterson.”
What do you want to accomplish in the next two years, governmentally and politically? “Obviously, taking the majority. There are a lot of great pieces of legislation that have not moved because they are sponsored by Democrats.”
What are the top challenges facing New York State right now? Economy; budget deficit; property tax reform; addressing the subprime mortgage crisis.
Marc Alessi (D)
Assembly Member
Age: 31
While serving as Long Island district director for the state comptroller, Democrat Marc Alessi was twice approached to seek elective office, at both the county and town levels. With a newborn child and his wife undergoing treatment for breast cancer, Alessi declined both offers. Then one day, while on business in Albany, friends asked him if he would be interested in succeeding Assembly Member Patricia Acampora (R) one day.
“I promised that when she left, I would run,” Alessi said.
He expected Acampora to serve for years to come. A week later, she resigned.
With Acampora headed to the Public Service Commission, Alessi had to make a snap decision on his week-old promise. His wife encouraged him to make the race, saying that he could bring first-hand knowledge of health care costs—her cancer treatments ran over $100,000 on their insurance—to the Legislature. He took on the uphill race as a Democrat in a Republican district on the Island’s easternmost tip.
Since taking his seat, Alessi has made Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) reform and alternative energy his top issues, continuing work he started in the comptroller’s office. He has received a commitment from State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli (D) that LIPA will be audited when the energy provider announces rate increases.
Young and with the proven potential to win a historically Republican district, Alessi has become the object of some speculation already. He said he is not sure of what the future may hold, but stressed his commitment to remaining in the Assembly and keeping his options open for now.
What is your biggest accomplishment in office so far? “The reform of LIPA.”
What do you want to accomplish in the next two years, governmentally and politically? “I would like to see the state foster policies to create alternative energy in New York State. I also want to put the focus I put on LIPA on to HMOs. Health care is the fastest growing cost sector in the public and private sectors.”
What are the top challenges facing New York State right now? Property tax reform; fixing the aging infrastructure.
Jon Kaiman (D)
North Hempstead Town Supervisor
Age: 46
Involved in public affairs and politics since high school, Jon Kaiman had been North Hempstead’s public safety commissioner when he entered elective office in 2000 as a district court judge at the advice of then-Assembly Member Tom DiNapoli (D), then the Nassau County Democratic Chairman. Following an interim appointment that April, Kaiman won a six-year term on the bench in November of that year, settling in for what looked like a long judicial career.
Kaiman resigned from his judgeship in 2003. He wanted a role in making policy, and sought the vacant town supervisor’s office. Now in his third term in town hall, Kaiman points to his customer service approach as supervisor, including creation of a town 311 system and partnerships with village governments in North Hempstead to address issues. Following the lead of larger urban governments, Kaiman has introduced the Citistat management system to the suburban community.
After three elections as chief executive of one of the state’s largest towns, Kaiman is often mentioned as a possible candidate for county executive or Congress. His aggressive fundraising—his campaign account currently totals over $327,000—and high public profile have helped fuel this speculation.
“In this business it’s hard to plan your future,” Kaiman said. “I consider myself an aggressive political animal and I am confident running a government like North Hempstead.”
Though he wants to continue in government, he said he might want to do so without being a candidate himself.
“Working with a future governor or president would be good,” he said. “I do not need to be the elected official.”
What is your biggest accomplishment in office so far? “A parks and roads transfer with Nassau County. The town took over parks and roads from the county, allowing us to better utilize these services. This transfer provides services and access to residents, and in a larger sense is how government should work.”
What do you want to accomplish in the next two years, governmentally and politically? “My number-one goal in government is to give people confidence that government works. If people can understand the process where we make decisions, we will fulfill our role in government.”
What are the top challenges facing New York State right now? Reducing the cost of doing business in the state; reducing the cost of maintaining infrastructure; improving the environment
