Democratic Candidates Say Lee Zeldin's Record Is Bad News For LI

There was a unified message at Tuesday’s CD #1 Congressional Candidates Forum, that message was Lee Zeldin’s record is so bad for Long Island that he has got to go.

On stage looking to challenge Zeldin from the Democratic line in November was Nancy Goroff, Perry Gershon, Bridget Fleming and Greg Fischer. The forum, hosted by the Smithtown Democratic Action Committee, was moderated by its chairperson Jan Singer.  

Over 100 people attended the forum held at the First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown. Attendees were provided  with unfettered access to candidates who answered questions asked by Ms. Singer before they mingled with the audience making their case for election.

Former congressional candidate Dave Calone opened the meeting by speaking about the importance of working together to elect a Democrat. “The whole country knows what we have known for some time, that Lee Zeldin is not just Donald Trump’s apprentice, he is his accomplice. He is his accomplice in covering up the lies, he is his accomplice in bringing to the American people a feeling that we are not in this together. He is his accomplice when it comes to covering up his abuse of power. And now the whole country knows about Lee Zeldin and they are  watching us. They want us to unseat Lee Zeldin. ‘We get what we work for not what we wish for’.”

The four candidates committed to supporting the Democratic nominee in November. They were unanimous in their support for health care supporting a public option for health care, eliminating surprise medical health care costs and the need to address suicide and mental health issues.

While issues took front and center the sense that Lee Zeldin is not only not representing the needs and concerns of CD #1 voters but rather hurting constituents.

Bridget Fleming called Zeldin out for not forcefully fighting for Tom Suozzi and Peter King’s plan to amend the SALT tax legislation which would raise the cap from $10,000 to $20,000. According to the candidate this would have helped the middle class on Long Island who are feeling the pinch from Trump’s policies. “Lee Zeldin should have been a loud voice in fighting to keep the Army Corp of Engineers and their equipment here on Long Island rather than moving them to Florida near Mar A Lago.”

They questioned Zeldin’s commitment to Veterans. Saying that despite the tremendous number of veterans in CD 1 and the many issues they face in health care, mental health care, women’s veteran services and problems at the VA Hospital in Northport, he willingly gave up his position on the Veterans Committee preferring to use his time defending Trump.  

Perry Gershon said the country is at a crossroad and cannot afford another four years of Donald Trump and Lee Zeldin, who put their interests before ours.  He claims Lee Zeldin is being silent on issues hurting constituents but is  Donald Trump’s #1 proponent for expunging impeachment from records. “That’s not being a congressman. There are real issues including the Army Corp of Engineers relocating dredging equipment from Long Island to Mar a Lago and Lee Zeldin is saying nothing. Stony Brook Hospital is losing $21.2 million in federal funding and Lee Zeldin is silent.”  

Nancy Goroff sees climate change as a significant issue for Long Island. Goroff, a scientist, emphasized science, facts and collaboration as the keys to finding a solution and devising a plan for dealing with it. She is not a single issue candidate.She pointed out that while Lee Zeldin is defending Trump, he is ignoring the people in CD #1 who are hurting economically. She pointed to the cost of student debt, not only for students but for parents, many of whom are seniors who took loans for their kids. 

A question on gun violence showed that all the candidates support background checks and all commended NYS for its gun policies. Greg Fischer gave the most comprehnsive answer to the gun violence question. Greg’s position included background checks but also included requiring gun owners to have insurance, opposing any federal law that would force states to have reciprocity, marking ammunition and supporting biometric technology to make weapons safer.