Forums Planned Featuring North Shore Senate, Assembly Candidates

PORT WASHINGTON, NY — Two virtual candidate forums are planned this month featuring candidates vying for New York state Senate and Assembly seats up for grabs on the North Shore.

The League of Women Voters of Port Washington-Manhasset will stream two virtual candidate forums on its website.

The first forum, to be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, features incumbent Democratic state Sen. Jim Gaughran and Republican challenger Edmund Smyth in the race for state Senate District 5. Green Party candidate Barbara Wagner, who is also running on a third party platform, will also participate in the forum.

The 5th district includes all or parts of Glen Cove, Syosset, Jericho, Oyster Bay, Plainview, Huntington, Northport, Melville and Dix Hills.

Then around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Democratic state Assemblyman Charles Lavine will answer questions along with GOP challenger Andrew Monteleone. Both are seeking election for District 13.

Monteleone is running against Lavine for the second time after an unsuccessful bid in 2018. The district includes all or parts of Glen Cove, Lattingtown, Sea Cliff, Roslyn, Syosset, Jericho, Hicksville, Westbury, Plainview, Woodbury, Oyster Bay and Centre Island.

On Tuesday, Oct. 20, the organization plans to livestream a virtual candidates' forum for the candidates vying for state Senate District 7 and Assembly District 16.

In the race for state Senate, Democratic incumbent Sen. Anna Kaplan will square off against Republican challenger Dave Franklin. The district includes parts of Great Neck, Port Washington, Manhasset, Roslyn, Old Westbury, Westbury, Lake Success, Mineola, Floral Park, Elmont, New Cassel, New Hyde Park and Hicksville.

In the election for Assembly District 16, Democrat Gina Sillitti seeks to succeed incumbent Democrat Anthony D'Urso election against Republican Ragini Srivastava. The district includes all or parts of Great Neck, Kings Point, Saddle Rock, Manhasset, Lake Success, North Hills, East Hills, Roslyn Heights, Port Washington, Herricks and Old Westbury.

Those forums will also be livestreamed on the organization's website and YouTube channel. Voters can submit questions for candidates both before and during the forum.