Oyster Bay Voter Guide: NY Primary Election 2020

OYSTER BAY, NY — Amid lingering public health concerns over the coronavirus, Oyster Bay voters who didn't already cast ballots will head to the polls Tuesday to do just that in the Congressional primary, as well as in state senate and assembly elections.

All eyes Tuesday will be on U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi, the former Glen Cove mayor and Nassau County executive who faces challenges from Melanie D'Arrigo and Michael Weinstock.

But many New York Democrats will also pay close attention to the number of votes that former Vice President Joe Biden earns in the presidential primary compared to U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who dropped out of the race earlier this year. The state Board of Elections tried to cancel the primary election, but federal judges had it reinstated. While Biden is the presumptive Democratic nominee, the primary also dictates which delegates are chosen, which could ultimately impact the party's rules and platform.

Suozzi Seeks Re-Election In Democratic Primary

Suozzi, an attorney and CPA, is a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, the chamber's chief tax-writing committee. He also serves on both the Oversight and Tax Policy subcommittees. His campaign did not fill out Patch's candidate questionnaire.

D'Arrigo, a Port Washington resident who worked for 14 years as an Allied Health professional, described herself in a Patch candidate questionnaire as a mom and organizer who supports universal health care and wants what she called "bold change" to combat climate change.

Weinstock, of Great Neck, is a former firefighter and prosecutor who said he wants to be a "fresh voice" who kids can look up to. He pointed to "incredibly high" taxes as one reason many young people can't afford to live on Long Island.

Santos, A Financial Professional, Runs For Congress In GOP Primary

George A. D. Santos, of Queens, is a financial professional who wants to take on "a radical regime," according to TheIslandNow.com. He did not fill out a Patch candidate questionnaire.

"He has poorly managed his budget," Santos told the news outlet about Suozzi. "I’m the antidote to all the wasteful spending. I don’t see why a congressman from Long Island should have to hop on a first-class airplane flight when you could take the train to Washington."

Bob Cohen and Howard Rabin are also on the ballot this year, running on the Working Families Party and Libertarian lines, respectively.

Montesano, Lavine Defend Oyster Bay Assembly Seats

New York Assemblymen Charles Lavine and Michael Montesano are both running unopposed in their respective primaries Tuesday.

First elected in 2005, Democratic Assemblyman Charles Lavine seeks re-election this year against Republican challenger Andrew Monteleone, who is also running unopposed. The 13th Assembly District consists of portions of northeastern Nassau County.

Lavine serves as chair of the Committee on Election Law and is a member of the Committees on Codes, Ethics and Guidance, Rules, Insurance and Judiciary. He previously served as chair of the Committee on Ethics and Guidance, co-chair of the state Legislative Ethics Commission and as chair of the task force established to produce an Assembly Speaker's Policy on Sexual Harassment, Retaliation and Discrimination.

Montesano, of Glen Head, was elected to the state Assembly in 2010 and seeks re-election against Democratic challenger Joseph Sackman, III in District 15.

Montesano was a police officer and detective for the NYPD for a decade and also served as an EMT supervisor and investigator for the NYC Emergency Medical Service, according to his biography on the state's website. He is a former president of the Nassau County Criminal Courts Bar Association and former President of the Nassau County Magistrates Association. He has also served as president, vice president and trustee of the North Shore School District Board of Education.

Montesano is a member of several committees: Ways and Means, Codes, Ethics and Guidance, Judiciary and Oversight, Analysis and Investigation.

State Sen. James Gaughran Seeks Re-Election

State Sen. James Gaughran, a Dix Hills native who now lives in Northport, is running unopposed in the Democratic primary and stands to face Republican challenger Edmund Smyth — also running unopposed in Tuesday's primary — in the general election. Green Party candidate Barbara Wagner is running on a third party platform.

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

Polling Locations

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Registered To Vote?

If you're unsure whether you're registered to vote, you can the Nassau County Board of Elections at 571-VOTE (8683) or search the State Board of Elections database.