Candidate: Legislator Nick Caracappa
Residence: Selden
Office: Suffolk County Legislature, District Four
Committees: Veterans (Chair); Public Works, Transportation & Energy (Chair); Environment, Parks & Agriculture; Labor and Consumer Affairs; Economic Development, Planning, and Housing
First Elected: 2020 special, full term in 2021, re-elected in 2023
Party Endorsements: Conservative, Republican
Notable Endorsements: Long Island Law Enforcement Federation (LILEF), Association of Municipal Employees (AME), Long Island Board of Realtors (LIBOR), building and construction trades.
Legislator Nick Caracappa succeeded the late Tom Muratore (R-Ronkonkoma) in 2020 by defeating Joseph Turdik (D) with 60% of the vote. He was re-elected for a full term in 2021 with 70% of the vote, and again in 2023 with 64% of the vote.
Legislator Caracappa sat down with The Messenger for an interview for the purpose of this candidate spotlight.
Q: What is your professional background before being elected to the Legislature and does it equip you for another term?
A: I was on the Suffolk County Water Authority for thirty-four years, and served as a union president for the last fourteen of those years. We did some incredible work there, including bringing our members up to par on wages and increasing workplace safety. I was also elected to the National Board of Utility Workers and I traveled all over the country advocating for workers’ rights, safety, and bargaining.
Growing up with a Democratic union labor father and a conservative Legislator mother, I got both sides of animated discussion and debate.
When my first child was born, I thought “what can I do to improve my children’s lives within this community?” Before politics, I was involved in the community. I was involved in the civics groups, I was a little league coach, I ran unopposed for four terms on the local school board. Through that activism, I was able to develop contacts. During my union leadership, we always endorsed and selected candidates from both sides of the aisle, based on who would do the best job. Being in community and union environments, people would call me if their blocks weren’t plowed, or if a tree was down, and I could call the correct people and departments.
Being sworn into the Legislature required no acclimation; I’ve been doing this for years, just in a different capacity.
Q: What are some of your accomplishments for the Fourth District in the last two years?
A: When the lines were redrawn, we picked up more of Coram, Port Jefferson Station, and Medford. That’s three more civics, three more historical societies, three more library districts. It’s been a blast getting to know everyone in those communities, getting them the grants they need for their cultural and historic projects. I love going to the concerts at Train Car Park in Terryville. The golden rule in our office is that constituents come first; everything else follows. I have a great staff too with Leah, Tabatha, and Ricky. When people call and get responses, that’s the most rewarding part of the job.
We’re still working on the sewers for Middle Country. I just met with County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) to try to change the dynamics of the subwatershed plan. The way it’s written right now is a disservice to what our residents are paying. Those monies should be for the sewer system and water quality infrastructure. The current board overseeing the plan are former members of the Steve Bellone (D-West Babylon) administration.
Protecting our aquifer and roadways is important, but Middle Country Road (State Route 25) has a lot of road runoff from rain. All the winter salt and oil slicks go into the cesspools and drain into the aquifer. We have to protect that. The other aspect is economic development. We’re trying to get State grants, but it’s hard getting anything from the State. We should not be overlooked.
Phase One is for Selden and Centereach, Phase Two will be for Farmingville, and Phase Three will be for Coram. A project of that magnitude takes years, and we haven’t received a nickel in infrastructure funding from Albany that was earmarked by the federal government. Governor Hochul (D) is withholding the funds because Nassau and Suffolk counties did not vote for her in 2022. Even our Democratic colleagues see the misrepresentation.
It’s a $430 million project that requires a sewage treatment plant and four pump stations to continue the flow. Businesses there are enthusiastic about it. We can get rid of the blight and attract major restaurants and nice things for the community.
Some residents were also upset about people speeding onto their road coming off Nicolls Highway. I contacted the police department and the next day, there was a speed zone sign put up.
Q: What are some of your accomplishments for the County at-large in the last two years?
A: We just passed I.R.1329, a bill I sponsored to give local municipalities more jurisdiction over these homes housing many people. Under NYS law, any voucher submitted for a valid person staying in a home has to be paid for, no questions asked. But these homes have twenty to thirty people in them and they’re putting up multiple walls, which is a maze that endangers our fire and rescue teams. Some of these LLCs have up to 200 homes in Suffolk. It’s a very lucrative business and Suffolk County taxpayers are bearing the load of these illegal homes and their quality of life diminishes. I have residents in Coram saying that they tell their kids to not look out the windows driving down 25. The residents weren’t being protected, but LLCs who house people who have no regard for how they conduct themselves; the drug dealers, pimps, prostitutes, and repeat offenders. I was proud to have unanimous support on this bill because it was long overdue.
We’re also working with AME to make sure they and their families are taken care of. We’re also filling positions in DSS, DPW, and the Parks Department that the past [Bellone] Administration created but never filled. Our taxpayers were getting duped and ripped off.
Last year, I sponsored a bill that was signed into law to require developers seeking IDA subsidies or hooking up to a sewer system to set aside a certain number of units capped at 80% area median income (AMI) for workforce housing. If we’re making an investment in community development, the developers should have to provide opportunities for our youth and seniors.
I also sponsored a bill to prohibit smoking of marijuana in County Parks to keep them family-friendly.
I don’t believe in too much government, but just to step in where something’s lacking.
Q: Last year, you voted to sue the State over the even-year elections law. Explain your stance.
A: The ballots will be three feet long and local issues will be on the back. Any of our elected officials and referenda will be lost to the state and federal issues. Who wants to wait on line for hours to cast your ballot? It’s tough already during a presidential election, but now everyone running for office will be on the ballot? We prefer local control.
Q: What’s your favorite quote, motto, or work ethic?
A: My mother, Legislator Rose Caracappa, always said: “If you want to serve the people, you have to be one of the people.” If I fail your family, I fail my family, and that’s simply not an option.
Q: How do you like to connect with and enjoy your community?
A: One of my favorite things to do with the community is sponsor the outdoor concerts. Our last concert at the Bald Hill Amphitheatre had over 800 people. At the library, well over 1,000. Seeing the satisfied faces of our community makes everything worth it. I support our local restaurants, like Riley Fibbers and Texas Roadhouse.
We never pass the buck. If you’re having a problem with a State or Town road, we’ll make sure that concern goes to the right person.
The Messenger thanks Legislator Caracappa for taking time to sit down with us for this candidate spotlight.
About the Fourth Legislative District
Nestled in the heart of central Suffolk, the Fourth Legislative District includes the working-class neighborhoods of Coram, Medford, Farmingville, and Selden, as well as parts of Centereach, Ronkonkoma, Port Jefferson Station, Terryville, and Holtsville.
Legislator Caracappa faces Nancy Silverio (D), who is not actively campaigning.
