Editorial - Special (Boring) Election On Tuesday, March 31

On Tuesday, March 31, 2015 a small group of voters in the 12th Legislative District will go to the polls. They will decide who will fill John Kennedy’s vacant seat.  Those who go to the polls or send in an absentee ballot will have a choice between two women, Leslie Kennedy and Deborah Monaco.  Neither one of them has ever held an elected position. Both women are political beings, Deborah a long time employee of the Suffolk County Board of Elections and Leslie, legislative aide to and wife of the district’s former Legislator, John Kennedy. John Kennedy gave up his legislative seat after being  elected to the position of Suffolk County Comptroller in November. 

Only one woman, Leslie, has been campaigning for the position. Deborah did not actively seek the nomination nor the legislative position.  Deborah Monaco is a long shot, political people will tell you she has little or no chance to win. Leslie Kennedy is the huge favorite to win the election and to fill the seat on the legislature that her husband vacated. 

It is not unusual for a person to seek a seat vacated by their spouse. It happens more often than you think, although usually when a spouse is deceased. In the U.S. Congress seats filled by spouses have been called  “widow’s seats”.  

Through gerrymandering the 12th LD is predominantly a Republican District. It would be very hard for a Democrat to win in the 12th LD and so it is no surprise that Deborah has not been actively campaigning for the almost $100,000 + benefits position. There is also no surprise that Leslie would want the position that comes with a great salary and benefits, a constituency that she is already familiar with having served as her husband’s legislative aide, she has name recognition and there is a large Republican voter registration. Seems like a slam dunk for Leslie.

What is troubling, is that without discussion, without debates, without campaign literature, without knowing what the candidates priorities are voters will go to the polls and pull a lever.  I would have liked to have heard a discussion about the economic challenges the County is experiencing. There should have been a discussion about the candidates position on the the police contracts, pension costs that we have encumbered our children and grandchildren with. I would like to have heard a discussion about mental health programs that could have a positive effect in reducing our incarceration rates.  What about violence against women, children, parents. We didn’t hear any of this and it is to the detriment of the voters that we did not have discussion.

Kudos to the woman who is elected to fill John Kennedy’s remaining term. November will bring about another election for a full two-year term and you will be able to run as the incumbent. I sincerely hope you will be prepared to tell the voters how you are going to address the many challenges facing Suffolk County. 

Residents deserve better than this boring non-issue election. Expect more of the same in November unless voters speak up and demand issue based elections.

Vote on Tuesday, March 31. The polls will open at 6am and remain open until 9pm. 

Pat