Meet The Candidates: John Brooks For Senate

SEAFORD, NY — Nov. 3 is Election Day in the United States. And while the presidential race is dominating the headlines, there are many down-ballot races that are also incredibly important. These races will shape the makeup of Congress, as well as New York's Senate and Assembly.

Democrat John Brooks is running unopposed for his seat representing the state's 8th Senate District.

The 8th SD includes Freeport, Roosevelt, Merrick, North Merrick, Bellmore, North Bellmore, Wantagh, Seaford, East Massapequa, Amityville, North Amityville, North Lindenhurst, East Farmingdale, and parts of Massapequa, South Farmingdale and Lindenhurst.

Brooks, 70, has been representing the 8th SD since 2017. He has been an active volunteer firefighter for more than 50 years, and has served on the Seaford Board of Education. Before he was elected to office, he worked professionally in the insurance industry.

Brooks is divorced, but lives in Seaford. He is a father and grandfather.

Patch reached out to the candidates to get more information about them. Here's what Brooks said:

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am seeking elective office to continue the work that I have begun. I want to improve funding in education, address environmental concerns on Long Island, reach economic growth, ensure that we address the recovery associated with the pandemic and ensure that we turn the economy around as we move out of the pandemic.

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

The pandemic. I am actively working on various recovery programs, including economic stimulus within the community, and recovery from the costs associated with the pandemic. We have to learn from our mistakes and working on looking for better ways to fund government, address technology concerns within education, address problems associated with PPE and medical equipment, so that we do not end up in the same situation that we are in right now.

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

This year's election I am running unopposed. The candidate that was nominated to challenge my seat was removed from the ballot when failing to comply with the election laws in the state of New York.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I make it an ongoing process to openly speak with and communicate with people. As a result, we have a series of issues that we are actively working on, including changing the ways that we fund education and the excessive property tax burden. I am working with the district in facing economic hardships with small business owners. I am actively working to add facilities to SUNY Farmingdale to increase enrollment. We are working to bring in environmental industries and jobs on Long Island. I am honored to be the chairman of the Veterans, Military Affairs and Homeland Security Committee in which we are actively working on issues regarding veterans, and issues as it relates to homeland security such as hurricane relief. I want to continue to work and address education reform, mental health services, etc.

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

Prior to my service in the state legislature, I was always very active in the community. I was and currently continue to be an active firefighter with the Seaford, Medford and Lindenhurst Fire Departments, where I was honored to serve as Seaford's chief of department. I was a member of the Seaford Board of Education, where I worked closely to fix educational reforms. I am a member of Kiwanis Club. I served in risk management as the director of risk management for Nassau County, where I led the efforts to reduce healthcare costs in the state of New York and saved Nassau County $80 million.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Be honest, listen to others, and do what is right.

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

I enjoy working with the people, addressing their concerns and trying to help. I am blessed with a staff of people who are truly interested in helping. As a result, my office has been successful in running many, many programs and addressing many, many issues of the residents of this district. I think collectively, all of us are truly concerned with the problems and issues of the people and I am here to address and resolve them. I, and everyone in the office, love what we are doing and take great satisfaction when we help people and make their lives a little bit better.