NY Primary Election 2020: Laura Jens-Smith For State Assembly

LAUREL, NY — Voters on Long Island will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots for state and federal offices in New York's Democratic primary election. That includes the New York's 2nd Assembly District, where candidates will vie to fill a seat vacated by Republican incumbent Assemblyman Anthony Palumbo, who is running for New York State Senate.

GOP candidate and current Riverhead Town Councilwoman Jodi Giglio will face off with the winner of Tuesday's Democratic primary, which includes candidates Laura Jens-Smith and William Schleisner.

Jens-Smith is a former Riverhead Town Supervisor.

The election is slated for Tuesday, June 23. Under Gov. Andrew Cuomo's order, all registered voters in the state must receive a mail-in ballot application to apply for a postage-paid absentee ballot amid the coronavirus. All ballots postmarked by June 23 will be counted.

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

Patch has reached out to all the candidates in the primary election. Here are their responses:

Laura Jens-Smith

Age as of Election Day (Nov. 3)

57

Town of residence

Laurel

Position Sought

State Assembly

Party Affiliation

Democratic

Family

Husband, Robert M. Smith. Children, Molly Smith, 22, and Ethan Smith, 21.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Phillips Beth Israel School of Nursing (AS) Pace University (BS)

Occupation

RN, 18 years. Town supervisor, two years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Supervisor, Town of Riverhead; Mattituck-Cutchogue School Board

Campaign website

LauraForAssembly.com

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 primary opponent has no elective experience and little community involvement. 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.

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

There is no incumbent in this race.

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, 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 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. [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.