Meet The Candidates: Eugene Murray For State Assembly

LONG ISLAND, NY — This November, Long Island residents will be hitting the polls to exercise their right to vote. While voters will be electing the president this Election Day, they will also be choosing their local representatives. In New York, state and federal races will also be on the ballot.

Republican Eugene Murray, 60, of Amity Harbor is running for New York's 11th Assembly District. The seat is currently occupied by Democrat Kimberly Jean-Pierre.

The district covers West Babylon, Wyandanch, Lindenhurst, Copiague, East Farmingdale, North Lindenhurst, Amityville, North Amityville, Wheatley Heights, and parts of North Babylon and Deer Park.

Murray and his wife, Karen, share three adult children; Shannon, Gene and Morgan.

He received his Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from SUNY Farmingdale. He is a retired NYPD Sergeant and currently owns a small security and investigative business, GM Investigations.

In anticipation of the election, Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Check out the full Q&A below:

Why are you seeking elective office?

Throughout my career in law enforcement and the private sector, I have seen firsthand the impact crime has on it's victims and the community. I am a lifelong Babylon resident a home owner and small business owner. I know the financial burden Albany puts on Long Islanders. I am looking to serve the community utilizing my training, experience and education.

The single most pressing issue facing our nation/state/community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The economy, is the single most pressing issue facing our state. Before the pandemic, Governor Cuomo's budget had a six billion dollar deficit. Now it will be much worse. It makes no sense that one of the richest states and one of the highest taxed states would have such deficits. We need to bring the liberal and wasteful spending under control.

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

I am not a politician. I am sixty years old and this is my first time running for office. I am a lifelong Babylon resident. My wife and I own a home here, we raised our three children here. I belong to numerous community organizations and have worked hard for the betterment of our community. This will not be a career for me. It will be a job, that I will work hard at.

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

I believe the current officer holder has failed Long Island. She is not representing Long Island if she is voting with New York City Liberals over 99% of the time. She voted both times for the disastrous bail reform laws, that have made our communities so much more unsafe.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I wish to work on Criminal Justice Reform that will put victims first, has judicial discretion and is fair and equitable to defendants. I will work to reign in Albany's wasteful and liberal spending. To stop Albany from using Long Island and the suburbs as New York City's piggy bank for failed liberal policies.

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

I am a highly decorated veteran of the New York City Police Department, a 911 First Responder and a retired Sergeant with more than 20 years of service. I served as a Community Policing Supervisor in Crown Heights Brooklyn, a supervisor in the Organized Crime Control Bureau and a supervisor in the Narcotics Intelligence Unit in the Bronx. Upon retiring from the NYPD I started up my own small investigative and security business, specializing in financial investigations, white collar crime and executive protection. I am very involved in my local community. I am a long-time member and currently Vice President of the Amity Harbor Civic Association. I am a member of the Copiague Downtown Revitalization Board. I am the founder and Captain of the Amity Harbor Neighborhood Watch. I am founder of the Civic Association’s Military Appreciation Program. With this program we joined with other civic organization, community groups and community members to send care packages to our Troops. Since it’s inception we have sent over 150 packages to our military personnel all over the world. I have also coordinated and run a Toys for Tots Drive with the American Legion. I am involved in numerous other civic and fraternal organizations.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Always work hard and do the right thing, even when no one is watching.

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

If elected, I will work hard for Long Island and New York. I will work hard to make New York affordable so our younger generation and retirees don't flee to other states. I will work hard to keep our communities safe.