Rebecca Kassay
Candidate: Rebecca Kassay
Residence: Port Jefferson
Party Lines: Democratic
Prior Elected Experience: Port Jefferson Village Trustee, elected in 2020 and 2022, Deputy Mayor from 2023-2024
Endorsements: LIFL, AFL-CIO, NYSUT, LiUNA, RWDSU, CWA, 1199 SEIU, 314 Action, Sierra Club, Eleanor’s Legacy
In the race for Suffolk’s most competitive Assembly District, and perhaps the most competitive seat within the county’s borders this year, former Port Jefferson Village Trustee and Deputy Mayor Rebecca Kassay is challenging freshman Assemblyman Ed Flood for the two-year term.
Rebecca Kassaysat down with The Messenger for an interview for this candidate spotlight.
Q: What is your professional background and how does it equip you for the Assembly?
A: I have over a decade balancing careers. I got degrees in environmental studies and communications at SUNY New Paltz. In 2011, I worked with Avalon Park and Preserve to create their volunteer teen program to get kids off their phones and into the community and environment. This consisted of trail maintenance, beach cleanup, and habitat restoration. I was also on the Board of the Long Island Native Plant Initiative and I served on the Port Jefferson Village Conservative Advisory Council. My husband and I bought our home in 2013 and we opened a bed and breakfast in 2014, the Fox and Owl Inn; we have three bedrooms and bathrooms. We have a self-serve European style breakfast, and we put out a smorgasbord of fresh fruit, fresh baked goods, and snacks throughout the day. Currently, my husband and I are the only staff members there. On and off, we’ve had people contracted to help clean in the peak of seasons, but lately, we’ve just been doing it ourselves. It keeps me connected and humble. At first, I asked “how much work could that possibly be?” The answer is a lot, but it’s been incredible.
I’ve been a member of the chambers of commerce and a member of the local Rotary Club for six years. I’ve not only become very aware of how government regulation affects my business, but others. It’s taught me how to keep a balanced budget, looking for returns on investment as far as advertising/client services, and making sure we count our pennies in tough times like COVID-19. My two sets of experience, environmental and business, are instrumental in bringing a fresh perspective.
Q: What is your top priority if elected?
A: Proactively building a strong bipartisan intergovernmental and creating that open line of communication between our elected officials of other levels of government. We need to make sure there isn’t redundant work going on, and we often assume there is communication happening at these different levels, but it isn’t always there. 80% of the time, most folks agree on a certain issue. Finding synergy with others and setting goals together, working with first responders, continuing to build a relationship with the Sixth Precinct, and leading by listening are all important. We need boots on the ground to bring those voices to Albany.
Q: In your opinion, what is the “defining issue” of this election?
A: Cost of living affects so many other problems that we’re seeing. We need to figure out a way to find relief from day-to-day expenses, make sure our taxes come back from Albany as much as possible, receive school funding and relief for local taxes. Our young folks can’t afford to make a life for themselves here, ideally near their families. Retirees deserve to enjoy life with the friendships they’ve built for decades. The heritage generations have enjoyed here for so long is being lost and that’s a shame. We have the $4.2 Environmental Bond Act and money for protecting water quality, preparing for storms, and preserving open space, all goals electeds from both sides talk. That’s less money that our taxpayers will have to spend at the town or county levels to tackle infrastructure projects and preserve open space.
As a woman of science and small business owner, I lean on facts and figures. You can’t just do an experiment and check in on the results later. Too often, there’s government programming where they set up a plan, fund the program, and there might not be adequate follow through or tracking to see if it’s performing as expected or scrapped entirely if it’s not having that return on investment. I’m not saying reduce across the board, necessarily, but making sure that every dollar going out has a purpose and is being tracked and cutting fat out of the budget. For example, the Village’s parking program helps fund the maintenance of the parking lots and flooding infrastructure. Our paved spaces are affecting our ability to mitigate stormwater; the parking fees can be used for that.
Throughout the campaign, the driving motto is: “bringing public service back to politics.” You can’t lead a district without showing up consistently and listening to the needs of the community. I have been showing up to these community spaces, listening, and learning. I have not seen my opponent showing up until it’s election season. Anyone who holds these offices needs to be strong public servants to time and attention to detail to further our shared goals we’re facing.
Q: The Siena College regularly tracks New Yorkers’ views of the direction of the state. Since Democrats formed a trifecta in 2019, the approval ratings have seen a net decrease. What’s your pitch to voters to add you to a majority with which they’re already unhappy?
A: My core values align with the Democratic Party, but sometimes, the right goes too far right and the left goes too far left. AD-04 is a pretty solid mix of red and blue, part of the reason my campaign ads are purple. I intend to represent 100%, not 51%, and to be in the majority and in the room where these critical conversations are happening. Some of the voices get lost while not in the room and I can be a Suffolk County Democrat who is in Albany advocating for Suffolk County. The proposed foundation aid formula change slated Three Village to lose $9 million, Port Jefferson to lose $1.2 million. There was a move to politicize this. School funding, the environment, and infrastructure shouldn’t be partisan. The governor and legislature are of my party, but I am going to stand up for the values and needs of our community. I took some flack for rallying with Republicans to restore state aid to schools; others said it was the right thing to do.
There are definitely loopholes in bail reform that need to be closed. I’ve been attending Sixth Precinct meetings for many years now and we need to be working with other legislators to make sure we’re listening to uniformed officers and their superiors about what is preventing them from taking dangerous offenders off the streets, or if someone is shoplifting and hurting small business or driving others out. Keeping it even between people who have a lot of money and no money. One problem is the mandate to have certain deliverables against someone in sixty days, whereas it used to be longer. I can see lawmakers saying it expedites the process, but listening to our officers, it’s too short of a timeline and it’s not possible for them to get those deliverables in time. Bail reform is the hot story because it evokes emotion, and when there are extreme moments, we react swiftly. What I’m hearing day-to-day is the shoplifting cases. It’s the revolving door of crime that we’re hearing about. Businesses don’t want to open in certain areas or are closing or struggling. We’re talking from mom-and-pops to Home Depot or Stop and Shop. We have the scalpel, we just need to know where to make the incision.
Another issue is illegal cannabis shops: there is not a single legal one in Brookhaven, and yet in the five square miles of my home, there are more than a dozen cannabis shops. The State’s rollout has been a mess; they have not kept to timelines. The enforcement arm is not well funded and staffed. These shops are also an eyesore and makes a neighborhood less welcoming to families. The sale of cannabis should be taken as seriously as the sale of alcohol. Right now, it’s the Wild West of cannabis.
With the even-year elections law, I am aware of it, but have not developed enough into it to understand the arguments against it. I won’t go for if the party is for it. I love being humbled by having my opinion changed based on facts. I would be willing and ready to listen to folks on both sides of it to better educate myself on it, so that’s what I’m going for.
Q: What is your favorite, quote, motto, or work ethic?
A: From One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest: “But I tried, didn’t I? G-ddammit, at least I did that.” We’re surrounded by cynicism and defeatist language. Giving into cynicism is always worse than rolling up your sleeves and tackling the problems. We’re facing enormous challenges here in the state and Suffolk County, and I’ll always charge forward with pragmatic optimism to deliver relief.
Q: How do you like to connect with your community?
A: I’ve always loved helping the community, from volunteering at a 5K to face-painting a kids’ fair, to organizing food drives. One of my greatest joys is working alongside other people. Even if it’s a really heavy issue, such as helping kids who don’t have presents at Christmastime, this hope and joy you get when you see people coming together to bring light into other peoples’ lives. It’s what drives my role in government. When I’m at events like that, I don’t feel like I’m working.
I have a rescue pup who is now eleven. We love to go on strolls around the harbor, Avalon Park, Frank Melville Park, and the Pine Barrens. We love the natural beauty of Long Island. I worked in Italy on farms and kitchens, so my favorite evening activity is cooking dinner while listening to Louis Prima and having a nice warm, cozy night in.
The Messenger thanks Rebecca Kassay for her time for this interview.
Assemblyman Ed Flood
Candidate: Assemblyman Ed Flood
Residence: Port Jefferson
First Elected: 2022
Prior Elected Office: None, ran for County Legislature District 5 in 2017
Office Sought: New York’s Fourth Assembly District
Party Lines: Republican, Conservative
Committees: Codes, Judiciary, Environmental Conservation, Banks, Children and Families, and Higher Education
Endorsements: Entire police conference, CSEA, AME, NSBCTC, AFSCME
After winning a stunning upset that ousted then-Assemblyman Steve Englebright (D-Setauket), Assemblyman Ed Flood is seeking a second two-year term in the state’s lower chamber.
Assemblyman Flood sat down with The Messenger for an interview for this candidate spotlight.
Q: What is your professional background and how does it equip you for the Assembly?
A: I was the Chief of Staff of then-Assemblyman Dean Murray (R-East Patchogue), who is now a State Senator. I’m also a small business owner; I’ve owned my law firm since 2012. I was also a prosecutor for five years. Working for then-Assemblyman Murray was invaluable in understanding how the Assembly works, how to reach across lines, and how to push legislation.
Q: What are some of your accomplishments for AD-04 and New York overall?
A: I’ve been able to bring in money for our district’s organizations. I helped the Gordon Heights Fire Department receive substantial money, as well as every library in the district, for Port Jeff High School to upgrade their technology/education department, and VFW hall in Setauket. I also fought to restore the school foundation aid formula for Three Village, Port Jefferson, Mt. Sinai, and our other districts. District leadership wrote to me thanking me for my fight to restore that aid to them. I’ve also fought back against tax increases and fought to get rid of some of the criminal justice reforms that have made New York less safe. We were also able to pass a bill to ensure that the Port Jefferson ferry was able to use the State land to upgrade their water system.
I was also a big part of Melanie’s Law, which would allow order of protections to pass to members of a household, even if those members are adults. I’ve also worked across the aisle to move Gabby’s Law, which would create a “Teal Alert,” similar to a Silver or Amber Alert. It would apply to individuals who are ages 18 to 64, especially those who might have mental health problems or be in an abusive situation, and where a relative or friend sees a drastic change in behavior or communication patterns. It was in response to Gabby Petito, whose family knew something was wrong when she didn’t respond to her mother after four days of no contact.
I also hosted the first Human Trafficking Seminar in August with legislative colleagues from Suffolk County and Assemblyman Brian Maher (R-Montgomery).
Q: What is your top priority if re-elected?
A: I have two bills that I’ve been working on with Senator Murray. One would require every bill that is passed to have a detailed fiscal impact note, indicating how much funding that piece of legislation would require and how it would be funded, either directly on taxpayers, municipalities, or businesses. The legislature passes bills that they don’t know the cost of. Come budget time, some members find that some legislation passed, even “feel-good” bills, are too expensive and might not have been passed had we known the tax burden.
Another bill is to put a brief moratorium on unfunded mandates and would require the State to come up with ten regional relief councils. When Albany passes a law, it currently applies statewide. Under my bill, every municipality, school district, etc. would go through the budget mandates and see which ones aren’t regionally appropriate for their district. An example is educational needs. Not every area needs Spanish textbooks, some might need Russian or Chinese textbooks, but the school districts are forced to buy a set amount of everything. This also applies to storm resiliency; some areas are affected by storms worse than others. This bill would take the burden off municipalities in how they budget their money, essentially saving the taxpayers’ money.
These two bills were both held for consideration.
Q: In your opinion, what is the “defining issue” of this election?
A: Affordability and public safety, and in sight of that, the migrant crisis. Most people are upset because of the fiscal costs. Not all migrants are exploiting the system or have nefarious intent, but some are exploiting the system to engage in drug dealing and human trafficking. We’re spending billions on the migrant crisis while cutting aid to school districts. My human trafficking seminar was aided in part by complaints from constituents in Coram and Gordon Heights, who see open-air prostitution. We also have infrastructure problems, especially on Routes 25 and 25A. Senator Murray and I were able to speed up the projects, by Route 112 and CR-83 on Route 25.
Suffolk County does a great job handling major crimes, and those numbers are down, in spite of the laws we have in Albany. In terms of quality-of-life crimes, the police are still handcuffed.
Q: What’s your pitch to voters to return you to the Assembly as a member of the minority?
A: Since Democrats had that supermajority in both chambers, we’ve seen the budget increase by $70 billion. There are checks and balances issues. Since that time, we’ve had criminal justice reforms that have made New York less safe. During that time is when we saw, by Executive Order, that New York is going to a sanctuary state. We’ve spent $4 billion in the last two years on New York City, and that’s money we’re just dumping in. The state and city don’t have plans in place for what they’re doing. By clawing against the supermajority, that’s the only way to show the Democratic majority that the policies are not working. If Democrats keep retaining seats, then that’s proof to the majority leaders that their policies are fine and the people are okay with it.
Q: What is your favorite, quote, motto, or work ethic?
A: I have the people of my district in mind, I vote for the best legislation that’s best for them.
Q: How do you like to connect with your community?
A: I enjoy dining locally, and I love hosting events open to the public, such as senior scams seminars and Coffee with Cops. I like to enjoy our local sporting events, such as at Port Jefferson and Comsewogue. I attend the homecomings and the parades and enjoy getting out into the public.
As a father of five, my kids understand that I am trying to make New York a better place for them. I have constant contact with my children, I can FaceTime them all the time. I’m able to play games with them in the evenings, and when in Albany, FaceTime them for bedtime stories. My kids are proud of what I do. They saw what happened right before I was in office, with the COVID-19 lockdowns and masks; they were very unhappy. They know their dad is up there fighting.
The Messenger thanks Assemblyman Flood for his time for this interview.
About the Fourth Assembly District
The Fourth District includes Belle Terre, East Setauket, Gordon Heights, Old Field, Poquott, Port Jefferson, Setauket, Stony Brook, Strongs Neck, and Terryville, and parts of Centereach, Coram, Middle Island, Port Jefferson Station, and Selden.
Traditionally a Democratic stronghold, the communities of Port Jefferson, the Three Village area, and surrounding hamlets/villages have trended towards the right, evidenced by Flood’s upset of former Assemblyman Englebright, who had represented the district in Albany for thirty years. The area also held close races for County Legislature and Brookhaven Town Council in 2023.
This race is considered one of the most, if not the most, competitive race in Suffolk County this year. An evenly-divided district with many Independents, the lion’s share of both parties’ resources have gone to this seat.
