Nassau Legislature Candidates: Meet Jennifer Rosenkrantz

Voters in Nassau County will head to the polls Nov. 5 to cast their ballots for the Legislature.

In District 13 — which includes East Meadow, Salisbury, North Merrick, North Bellmore and portions of North Wantagh — voters will select from two candidates: incumbent Republican Thomas McKevitt and Democratic challenger Jennifer Rosenkrantz.

Patch reached out to both candidates to hear where they stand on important issues affecting the community.

Here are the responses for those who participated. The answers have been lightly edited for clarity.

Jennifer Rosenkrantz

• Age (as of Sept. 1, 2019): 46
• Town of Residence: East Meadow
• Position Sought: District 13 Legislator
• Party Affiliation: Democrat
• Family: Husband Seth, 50; Daughter Emily, 17; Son Alex, 12
• Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? My husband and my mother work for the New York City Department of Education
• Education: BA, SUNY Albany, 1994 (magna cum laude); JD, Brooklyn Law School, 1998 (magna cum laude)
• Occupation: Attorney
• Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: None
• Campaign Website: https://www.facebook.com/Jennifer-Rosenkrantz-for-LD-13-1263447683813340/

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The opioid crisis. I intend to make sure we have education for our community and in our schools, starting at young ages with age-appropriate programs. The only way to combat this issue is with early education, access to treatment, and coordination with law enforcement to enforce the laws. And I would apply the same resources to vaping as I believe that is going to be our next epidemic in my district and in Nassau County.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My opponent is a part of the Republican machine. He votes blindly with his party and does not think independently. I intend to research issues, consider both sides, seek information from outside resources and vote for what is right for the taxpayers of Nassau County. I want to do what is right for Nassau County and effectuate change rather than perpetuate the climate of corruption and nepotism created under the prior Republican administration.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

Our current legislator has no taken steps to address the artificially skewed assessment system created by the prior county executive. He and his party continue to stonewall the efforts of our county executive as she tries to remedy the wrongs inflicted by the prior administration.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

1. Supporting the county executive's efforts of reassessment.
2. Working to create workforce housing for our young people so we can keep them in Nassau County.
3. Supporting legislation that promotes financial literacy.
4. Improving our public transportation system (more parking, better service, coordination of bus and train schedules, workforce housing near public transportation).
5. Transparency in government.
6. Community involvement.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I am the immediate past chair of the Matrimonial Law Committee of the Nassau County Bar Association, one of the largest committees of that organization. I chaired the committee for two years which required me to obtain speakers and schedule programs eight times each year, plus an awards ceremony in June and a holiday party in December. Under my chairmanship, I created a Rising Stars subcommittee for attorneys practicing family law 10 years or less. As a member of the education committee of the East Meadow Jewish Center, I successfully led the initiative to reduce Hebrew School from six hours a week over three days to five hours a week over two days in recognition of the stresses and chaos our children face in their lives today. I have never shied away from a challenge or from hard work. I have leadership skills as a result of my work as an attorney and my other activities which I will continue to use if elected to the Legislature.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Didn't answer.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

If you are tired of a corrupt government, want to see an end to partisan politics, and want good government that is transparent and works for YOU, vote for me!