Meet The Candidates: Mark Engelman For State Assembly

MASSAPEQUA, NY — Nov. 3 is Election Day in the United States. And while the presidential race is dominating the headlines, there are many down-ballot races that are also incredibly important. These races will shape the makeup of Congress, as well as New York's Senate and Assembly.

Democrat Mark Engelman is running to replace incumbent Republican John Mikulin to represent New York's 17th Assembly District.

The 17th Assembly District covers East Meadow, Levittown, Plainedge and South Farmingdale, and portions of Massapequa, North Bellmore, North Merrick, Farmingdale and Uniondale.

The 29-year-old is running for his first political office. He is currently self-employed fulfilling app-based services, he said. He has also been working in elections since 2015.

Engelman lives in Massapequa with his wife, Amanda, and his children Aubrey and Taylor.

Patch reached out to the candidates to get more information about them. Here's what Engelman said:

Why are you seeking elective office?

I feel compelled to bring issues to light that the working class deals with. Especially on Long Island, it is very difficult just to get by on a lower income when people have life responsibilities like family to take care of, or involvement in the community.

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

The most pressing issue is jobs. We have seen throughout this pandemic that many low-paying jobs are very essential, but at lower wages the current system for employees is a bad deal. On a state level, I will advocate for paid sick leave and a single-payer healthcare option. It would open up the minimum standard insurance plans on the Healthcare Marketplace to everyone who wants another choice for an optional withholding tax of about 3.5 percent. For many this could be much less than the monthly plan costs and deductibles offered to people. While it is out of my direct control, I will be advocating for a larger Federal tax Standard Deduction that W-2 employees can take to increase their potential tax refund.

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

I understand the difficulty of just getting by in New York when you have children. I have a parent who could not get proper treatment for mental health until recently because it was not taken seriously. These experiences give me empathy for those with the difficulties and problems in life that many people deal with.

In what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

The incumbent voted against the Covid Rent Relief program to help those who have had their income reduced or their jobs lost to the pandemic. He has had some fair criticism of things like the budget and the elimination of cash bail, but has not been a strong voice in offering alternative solutions.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

The legislature must reverse the 2018 raises they gave themselves, at least until state revenue is back to pre-pandemic levels. Instead of blanket pre-trial release without bail, there should be a pre-trial form of probation when judges feel it is necessary. We need alternative revenue sources like the economic activity and taxes produced by legalizing sports betting and marijuana. Specifically marijuana legalization is a ballot referendum in New Jersey this year, it is already legalized in Massachussetts, but New York is failing to create a plan that addresses the concerns of people who are worried about what legalization would do.

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

I overcame depression and alcohol abuse to return to college. When I was a retail closing manager, I was consistently the last person to leave and responsible for setting up the store for operation in the morning. I was always proud to stay as long as needed to finish the job.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

To have pride in your work is to have work of high quality.

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

I really want to bring down the barrier between the average person and the insiders of politics and government. There are many good and smart people in our community and our officials should be cultivating involvement and informing residents constantly, instead of dictating ideas without input.