Election 2017: Drucker And Cepeda Face Off For 16th LD

Two relative political newcomers are facing off for the Nassau County 16th District seat. Democratic Incumbent Democrat Arnold Drucker, who won the seat in the special election last November, is looking to hold out from a challenge from Republican Angel Cepeda.

Drucker won the seat last November, after a special election was held following the death of Legislator Judy Jacobs, who used to represent the district. In his first year, he has sponsored a bill that would increase the Nassau County Police Department's patrol of religious institutions and schools, instead of the increases they only see now during religious holidays and times of heightened security.

Drucker says he is working to create more transparency in county government, raise the age to buy tobacco products to 21 and to expand the county's anti-discrimination laws to protect transgender residents.

Cepeda is a relative newcomer to politics. Before his run for the 16th district, he served two terms on the Plainview-Old Bethpage Board of Education, from 2007-12.

Cepeda has spent his life working in the private sector. He worked for Bank America International, and then in the IT department for Paul Scherer & Company LLP. Using his skills in business technology and finance, Cepeda created his own firm, Blue Mountain Consulting Group, and regularly lectures and gives seminars.

The 16th Legislative District is made up of Plainview, Old Bethpage, Jericho, Syosset, Woodbury, Hicksville, Old Westbury and Roslyn Heights.