Meet The Candidates: Laura Jens-Smith For New York State Assembly

LONG ISLAND, NY — This November, Long Island residents will be hitting the polls to exercise their right to vote. While voters will be electing the president on Election Day, November 3, they will also be choosing their local representatives. In New York, state and federal races will also be on the ballot.

Democrat Laura Jens-Smith, 57, of Laurel, is running to fill a seat in the New York's 2nd Assembly District vacated by Republican incumbent Assemblyman Anthony Palumbo, who is running for New York State Senate.

The Second Assembly District of New York includes portions of Brookhaven Town of Brookhaven, and all of Riverhead and Southold.

Jens-Smith, a former Riverhead Town supervisor, will face off with Republican opponent and incumbent Riverhead Town Councilwoman Jodi Giglio.

Jens-Smith and her husband Robert M. Smith have two children, Molly, 22, and Ethan, 21. She attended the Phillips Beth Israel School of Nursing (AS) and Pace University (BS) and was a registered nurse for 18 years and served on the Mattiticuck-Cutchogue board of education, as well as serving as Riverhead town supervisor for two years.

In anticipation of the election, Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Check out the full Q&A below:

Laura Jens-Smith

Why are you seeking elective office?

I certainly never expected to go into politics. However, first, as a nurse, then as a school board member and president, then as the Riverhead Town Supervisor, and now as an Assembly candidate, my career as been about service. I feel most fulfilled in service to others— that’s why I’m running.

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

Making Long Island more affordable. New York State’s budget is a statement of its priorities, and somehow, Long Island always seems to get the short end of the stick. I would be a strong and loud voice for our region, and, I would rally the other areas of the state that are also receiving less, to create a new majority coalition of suburban and Upstate interests to wrest our fair share from the budget

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

Experience, integrity and results. My general election opponent has been around a long time, but, has accomplished very little for the people of the North Fork, Riverhead and Brookhaven…She also has consistently been ethically challenged — being forced to appear before ethics boards and serving in public office, while working as a developer’s lobbyist. I think the people want results— along with transparent, ethical government

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Better access to affordable healthcare for all. Getting our fair share of education aid. Stemming the outflow of our residents, and keeping our kids on Long Island. Fixing Long Island’s infrastructure.

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

As supervisor of Riverhead I returned the town to firm financial footing, restoring a previously depleted fund balance, while improving services to the community including park improvements, infrastructure repair and capital planning. Working with county, state and federal officials I was able to procure over $5 million dollars in grant funding for the town and have crafted budgets and negotiated long stalled union contracts to stabilize the budget for years to come.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Even when it’s unpopular, doing the right thing, is always the right thing to do.

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

I am not a professional politician, but, I have served in responsible positions in local government, as Riverhead supervisor and Mattituck-Cutchogue school board president. I’ve seen firsthand, how one person can make a difference. I want to bring my passion for public service to make Albany work for all of us.