Candidate Profile: Tom Murray For Islip Town Supervisor

LONG ISLAND, NY - Suffolk County residents will be hitting the polls next month to elect several local representatives.

In addition to local town and village races, residents should look into who will be running to represent one of the 18 legislative districts in Suffolk County. This year, Election Day falls on Tuesday, November 5.

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

Tom Murray, 32, of Bayport is running for Islip Town Supervisor.

He is a Sayville High School grad (Class of 2005). He received his BA from the University of Richmond in 2009 and his JD from the University of Richmond School of Law in 2013.

Challenger Murray (D) currently works as an attorney after being admitted to the bar in 2014.

He lives with his wife, Caitlin, 32, and their daughter, Beatrix, 8 months.

His opponent is challenger Angie Carpenter (R).

Check out Patch's full Q&A with Murray below:

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

Murray: The lack of faith in our government. There are a number of issues affecting our town; some effect certain hamlets, many effect all. But everywhere I go, people are fed up that their concerns aren't being addressed, whether it's over-development, parking meters, water quality, our roads, code enforcement, taxes, or anything else. Your government should work for you, and as Supervisor, I will.

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

M: I will work exclusively for the people of Islip. I do not accept campaign contributions from real estate developers, companies that do business with the town, or any company that may be seeking to do business with the town. I will continue to uphold that promise during my term.

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

M: We are not doing enough to plan for our future. The board does not listen to its residents concerns and only pays them lip service when an election is coming up.

P: Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

M: I will fight the over-development in our area by voting on turning our green spaces into massive developments of luxury apartments. I will fight to clean our Bay, so that our children can swim in it during the summer.

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

M: I have worked tirelessly for my clients as an attorney and will work tirelessly for all Islip residents as your Supervisor.

P: The best advice ever shared with me was ...

M: In major league baseball, there are 162 games in a season. "Everyone's going to win 54 games, everyone's going to lose 54 games - it's what you do with the other 54 games that counts." It's a reminder that sometimes we work hard and still come up short, and that's okay. It's also a reminder that sometimes we get a lucky break, and to keep our pride in check. But ultimately, the message is that through the good and the bad, it's still important to get out there every day and do our best.

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

M: I grew up in Sayville and live in Bayport. I am raising my family here and hope to live in Islip for the rest of my life. I am deeply concerned about our future and every decision I make will be made with our future in mind.