New York Senate District 5 Candidates: Meet Jim Gaughran

NORTHPORT, NY — Election Day is right around the corner and voters will have to chose between incumbent Democratic state Sen. Jim Gaughran and Republican challenger Edmund Smyth in the general election Nov. 3. Green Party candidate Barbara Wagner is also running on a third party platform.

Gaughran, Dix Hills native who now lives in Northport, ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. Smyth ran unopposed in the GOP primary.

The 5th district covers the North Shore of Long Island, including Glen Cove, Syosset, Jericho, Oyster Bay, Plainview, Huntington, Northport, Melville, Dix Hills and part of Commack.

In anticipation of the election, Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will publish candidate profiles as election day draws near. Here are their answers, lightly edited for clarity.

See also:

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• Mail-In Voting In New York: Deadlines, How To Get A Ballot
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Jim Gaughran

Age as of Election Day (Nov. 3): 63

Town of residence: Northport

Position Sought: State Senate

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Family: Wife, Carol; Daughter, Kaitlin; Son, Michael

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? My wife is a public school library media specialist.

Education: Stony Brook University, BA; Hofstra Law School, JD

Occupation: Attorney, 36 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: Chairman, Suffolk County Water Authority; Suffolk County Legislator; Town of Huntington Councilman

Campaign website: www.Gaughran2020.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

Long Island needs leaders that will reduce the property tax burden that is driving too many families away from staying or retiring on Long Island; that's why I sponsored the law to make the 2 percent property tax cap permanent. We need leadership that will fight to protect our children by enacting common sense gun reform, and who will stand up and fight for ethics legislation to put taxpayers first, not political insiders or special interests. I have a proven record of sponsoring legislation to protect our children from senseless gun violence, prioritizing our environment, and advocating for safe, clean drinking water. I authored a major law in my first term as state senator that will ensure corporate polluters who contaminate our drinking water pay for cleaning it up, not ratepayers.

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

The single most pressing issue facing our nation is the COVID-19 pandemic, and I intend to continue working with my partners in government to promote science-based policies to protect all New Yorkers. I am committed to helping New York beat this pandemic and rebuild our economy — stronger than ever. I am very concerned that young people may fall behind during this crisis, and have pledged to make sure that New York remains aggressive in creating new jobs, industries, and opportunities.

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

I have a proven track record of fighting to protect taxpayers — I was the sponsor of the permanent property tax cap — and believe strongly in tough ethics laws that will protect taxpayers, not politicians friends or campaign donors. When I was a Town of Huntington councilman I championed the ethics law the Town of Huntington adopted that became the statewide model for ethics reform. I also am a staunch supporter for common sense gun reforms, because our children's safety depends on it. During my first term as state senator, I helped pass electoral reforms to modernize our archaic voting system, make voting easier and more accessible, and strengthen our democracy. I am proud to have voted for the Child Victims Act, to allow victims of childhood sexual abuse to seek justice, and have authored legislation to expand these survivors access to the legal system.

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

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

Protecting taxpayers, fighting for common sense gun safety measures, passing legislation to protect the environment and our drinking water, and championing ethics laws to hold our elected officials to a higher standard and protect the taxpayer, not campaign donors.

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

One of the first laws I wrote as a Town of Huntington councilman was ethics legislation that became the model across New York State to protect taxpayers, not political insiders or campaign donors. As state senator, I authored legislation to throw corrupt politicians out of office as soon as they plead guilty to a felony. In my first term, I voted to take dirty money out of politics by closing donation loopholes and banning lobbyists from making loans to campaigns. I've fought to protect taxpayers, stand up for gun reform, and ensure Long Island has clean, safe drinking water.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

The best advice ever shared with me came from my father, who always said: "Try to do something in life that you're passionate about, and always treat people how you would like to be treated yourself."

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

When I first ran for senate, I made a promise to the voters that I would speak with every single constituent who wants to speak with me, and hold regular town halls. I am proud to have been able to keep that promise, and will personally call any constituent or voter who wants to speak with me about an issue, needs assistance, or has a question about my position. Email gaughran2020@gmail.com and I will call you back myself. During my first term, I held nearly 20 town halls, to make sure that the government remains accountable and accessible to constituents. Though the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to change the way we hold town halls, I have continued holding Zoom town halls throughout the pandemic to help constituents with unemployment insurance, help small businesses safety reopen, and answer questions as our world continues to adjust to this new normal.