The Suffolk County Legislature is up for election this November for all its eighteen seats. The two-year terms last came up for election in 2019. That past election, Leslie Kennedy (R, C-Nesconset) was elected to her third term in her position as a legislator for the 12th district. She is running for her fourth term against political hopeful Michael G. Siderakis (D-Smithtown).
The 12th district is located in the western-central portion of Suffolk County, encompassing the southern section of the Town of Smithtown and western Brookhaven. The northern half of Smithtown is covered by legislator Rob Trotta. According to Suffolk County demographic information, the 12th legislative district is home to 64 election districts. There are roughly 24,000 residential homes. The district is generally upper-middle-class, with 70% of incomes over $45,000. In general, the district is young, with 88% of registered voters under 65 years old. Residents of the 12th LD are well educated, with 90% of the adult population finishing high school and 33% with bachelor’s degrees.
The following campaign profiles are constructed based on separate interviews with the respective candidates and publicly available campaign literature.
Leslie Kennedy
Kennedy, a former nurse, business manager, and legislative aid with 30 years of experience in these respective roles was first elected in a special election in 2015 to succeed former legislator John Kennedy Jr., who left the position to run for County Comptroller. She serves on 8 of the legislature’s 12 committees.
When asked what her greatest accomplishment was, Kennedy noted that “every single constituent that calls the office is heard and dealt with,” even if that means contacting departments outside of the county such as “the Department of Transportation, the Suffolk County Police Department,” “whatever the constituent needs.”
She recently followed up with Congressman “Zeldin’s Office regarding an issue” and had to help someone with an issue regarding Medicaid.
Her office receives “800 emails a day. All handled within the week.” This volume, combined with her other duties, means Kennedy works “At least 80 hours a week […]7 days a week” in order to serve her constituents best.
“I love working with people,” stated Kennedy.
When asked why she is seeking reelection, Kennedy said, “because the constituents need to be heard on a constant basis. They don’t always know where to go.”
That prompted Kennedy to say, “I teach,” in reference to the frequent confusion over who to call for what.
Indeed, Kennedy receives many such calls regarding zoning, potholes on town & state roads, and other issues which fall outside of her immediate purview, which all “must be handled.”
Kennedy affirmed that “if I don’t get an answer, I’ll call back until I get a response.”
This past term was more challenging for elected officials who had to guide their constituents through the pandemic. Kennedy explained that “my experience as a nurse became useful in explaining infection control” to worried constituents.
We asked Kennedy about her leadership style. She answered that “I may have been elected by Republicans, but I represent everybody, and sometimes that means the positions they favor over my own.”
This involves “working with the private sector, across the aisle” and other community stakeholders to come to agreements.
“I try to be fair and equitable, especially to our seniors during covid,” said Kennedy. The pandemic left many without a place to call expect for their local officials.
She also noted that “laws have a reason: to make people’s lives better.” That is her guiding principle in the legislature.
She also commented that helping constituents as well as she does comes from “experience and research.”
Michael G Siderakis
Siderakis, a former state trooper of 27 years, is challenging incumbent Kennedy. He was heavily involved with his union during his tenure. He ran for delegate on LI, was the second Vice President of the NYS Troopers PBA. In this capacity, he was the lobbyist up in Albany from 2016 to 2019.
His children attended Smithtown Schools, with both graduating from Smithtown High School East. His daughter graduated from Hunter College in New York City, and his son is currently attending Suffolk County Community College.
He previously ran for State Senate against Mario Mattera. After serving as a State Trooper and serving his brothers and sisters in PBA, he “felt it was my obligation to run for public office.”
However, “politics wasn’t always in the plan.” Siderkais was specifically prompted to run by what he sees as a changing environment. “I’ve seen our community change drastically: Apartments put up everywhere, IDA tax breaks given to corporations to build apartments…”
He sees Smithtown as “losing a lot of the charm and character that we moved here for.”
“I grew up in Queens, moved to Long Island. I still live in the same starter home,” stated Siderakis.
He does not believe that we are “[giving] that opportunity to the next generation with [the] rentals” that are being built.
He noted that back when he was in Albany, “I worked with both Republicans and Democrats. When Republicans were in charge of the State Senate, I worked with Senator Flanagan and” after the Senate changed hands “the Democrats.”
“I feel like I can be a very strong voice in the district. I can get things done,” he stated.
When asked what he would like to accomplish, Siderakis added that “I’ve seen a lot of ineffective leadership here. Nothing getting done here within the district […] When you are in there that long you get complacent and go through the motions.”
According to a campaign video, “our roads are crumbling, our schools are struggling, and then there are taxes…” These features will likely be tenets of his campaign as we advance. The campaign video also notes the 7/11’s on every corner as a symptom of a changing town.
In reference to public safety, campaign materials state that “as a state trooper, I protected New York State while protecting the rights and dignity of all.”
During our interview, the topic of public safety emerged. He emphasized his background gives him unique insight into current conversations surrounding law enforcement now that he has been on the “cop and civilian side.” This may involve “body cameras” or other such implements.
