SUOZZI AND DEMOCRATS WIN BIG IN NASSAU
COOPER IS RE-ELECTED IN SUFFOLK
By Bill Borman

On November 6, Tom Suozzi, the Democratic candidate for Nassau County executive, won a landslide victory over his opponent, Republican Bruce Bent. Suozzi, the four term Mayor of Glen Cove had earlier upset Assemblyman Tom DiNapoli in the Democratic Primary held September 25. The Democrats also retained their one vote majority in the Nassau County Legislature. For the first time since 1917 the Democratic Party controls both the Executive and Legislative branches in Nassau County. Democrat Howard Weitzman  defeated incumbent Fred Parola in the race for Comptroller.  The Republican Karen Murphy retained her seat as County Clerk and Republican Dennis Dillon was re-elected as District Attorney. The Nassau County Lesbian and Gay Democrats endorsed Mr.Suozzi, Mr. Weitzman and all of the re-elected Democratic members of the Legislature.

Suozzi now has the daunting task of straightening out Nassau County’s fiscal crisis while under the watchful eye of the Nassau Interim Finance Agency (NIFA).  NIFA was appointed by the Governor to oversee Nassau County’s financial situation as it teeters on the brink of bankruptcy.

By a unanimous vote in December 2000 the Nassau Legislature passed a law banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The NCL&G Democrats were instrumental in helping pass that bill. Mr. Suozzi has pledged to the NCL&G Democrats that he help institue  domestic partnership benefits for Nassau County employees if elected County Executive. The proposal also has widespread support in the Legislature.

The NCL&G Democrats will work with the new County Executive and the Legislature to obtain these benefits.  The club also expects to work with the Democratic majorities in Glen Cove, Long Beach and North Hempstead and have domestic partnership benefits granted to the employees of those municipalities. Anyone interested in participating can contact the group at NCGayDems@aol.com.

In Suffolk County, openly gay legislator Jon Cooper handily won his bid for re-election. He remains the only openly gay elected official on Long Island. The Suffolk County Legislature retained their Republican majority. Democrat Thomas Spota, however, did unseat the District Attorney, James Catterson. Republican Alfred Tisch was elected Sheriff and Republican John Cochrane was re-elected Treasurer.