The Messenger endorses Nick LaLota to replace outgoing Congressman Lee Zeldin over Bridget Fleming in the 1st Congressional District. LaLota brings with him an impressive resume as a naval officer, attorney, and government official. He will have big shoes to fill, replacing Zeldin, who showed that a principled conservative could also be consistently ranked one of the most bipartisan members of congress.
Go no further than LaLota’s policy stances to see that he is a pragmatist willing to find solutions to problems. Beholden only to the voters, LaLota will take Long Island values to D.C. and will surely be an asset in the days ahead as Washington deals with inflation, the rise of China and a host of other pressing matters.
The Messenger endorses incumbent Andrew Garbarino for the 2nd Congressional District. Garbarino has aged like a fine wine, now maturing to the point where he can navigate the halls of congress to achieve longstanding needs for his district. Garbarino has secured millions of dollars of funding toward sewers, working effectively with his partners in local government.
Replacing Garbarino at this juncture would be akin to throwing out a Pinot Noir for getting too old.
Legislative Races
The Messenger endorses incumbent Mario Mattera for New York’s 2nd Senatorial District. As a labor leader and as the incumbent legislator, Mattera’s campaign is focused on kitchen table issues facing New Yorker’s ranging from inflation to increasing crime. Despite what some would have you believe, even as a member of the minority, Mattera is able to deliver for his district while joining his colleagues across the aisle for regional issues such as water quality.
The Messenger endorses incumbent Michael Fitzpatrick for New York’s 8th Assembly District. Fitzpatrick’s track record often places him as the lone voice of reason in Albany, a job seldom celebrated. Despite his unpopularity with special interests, he continues to fight for pension reform and accountability. He has been an advocate for sewers in the downtowns of Smithtown and Kings Park.
The Messenger endorses incumbent Jodi Giglio for the 2nd Assembly District. Giglio is well aware of her constituency of their needs. She has a proven track record of addressing the needs of the environment, Veterans, and supporting the rights of all New Yorkers. Vocally opposed to mandates, Giglio has an unwavering commitment to freedom of conscience.
The Messenger endorses Ed Flood over incumbent Steve Englebright for New York’s 4th Assembly District. The incumbent is a noted environmentalist cognizant of the need to revitalize Long Island’s waterways and protect our natural resources. However, his recent voting record places him closer to Manhattan than suburban Long Island. Flood voices the concerns of his future constituents concerned over inflations and rejects unfunded and unfounded solutions. Flood’s background as assistant town attorney lends his considerable knowledge of local and state law. And in this position, Flood has prosecuted environmental crimes along with various other infractions.
The Messenger endorses Peter Ganley over incumbent Fred Thiele. While Thiele once served as an independent voice for the East End, that is no longer the case. He has transformed into a partisan, and his opponent rightfully critiques his recent decision to purchase a home out of state in a move that looks more like a permanent move than a summer home. The East End deserves an independent voice in Albany that they once had, one they can find in Ganley. Ganley’s youth is complemented by his experience working as a congressional staffer.
