2026 Candidate Interview | New York State Assembly District 12
Republican Party • Conservative Party
David Weber Jr., the Republican and Conservative Party candidate for New York State Assembly District 12, joined Huntington Matters for a 2026 General Election Candidate Interview.
Huntington Matters asks candidates seeking the same office the same core questions about issues affecting Town of Huntington residents, with follow-up questions providing opportunities for more detailed discussion.
As Huntington Matters President June Margolin explains, “Our goal is to help Town of Huntington residents get to know your choices at the polls so you can vote with confidence for you and your family.”
Among the topics explored were Weber’s views on housing affordability and local zoning, public safety and law enforcement, and his experience with water quality improvements, sewer expansion and coastal resilience.
Watch the complete David Weber interview:
Experience and State Funding
Weber described his experience as a longtime Northport business owner, volunteer firefighter and elected village official.
He said he has operated Seymour’s Boatyard in Northport Village for approximately 30 years, maintaining a business whose history dates to 1923. He also described 30 years of volunteer firefighting service, including serving as a captain, and six years as a Northport Village trustee.
Weber explained that concerns about the village budget initially motivated him to seek local office. He believes his experience with budgeting, negotiations and employee relations would help him represent Assembly District 12 in Albany.
Asked what he hopes to accomplish if elected, Weber emphasized making his office accessible to constituents who need help navigating state government. He also identified environmental funding, expanded mental healthcare and substance use disorder programs as priorities.
▶️ Watch the discussion on Weber’s experience and priorities — 1:52
Affordability, Housing and Insurance
Weber said Long Island’s housing costs are making it increasingly difficult for young adults to remain in their communities, citing the experiences of his own three adult sons.
He emphasized keeping zoning and development decisions under local control rather than transferring authority to Albany.
Weber suggested expanding first-time homebuyer programs and exploring housing incentives for essential workers, including nurses and first responders.
▶️ Watch the discussion on housing affordability and Utility Costs — 6:21
Asked about rising utility costs, Weber supported exploring solar and wind energy while cautioning against mandates that impose significant expenses on residents and local institutions.
He pointed to electric school bus requirements as an example of a transition he believes should move at a pace that reflects available technology and affordability.
On homeowners insurance, Weber emphasized stronger enforcement against insurance fraud rather than proposing specific changes to state insurance regulations.
Discussing automobile insurance, he again called for fraud enforcement and suggested that investments in tree maintenance, shoreline protection and storm resilience could help reduce future property damage and insurance losses.
▶️ Watch the discussion on insurance costs — 11:26
Public Safety and Law Enforcement
Drawing on his experience as a former police officer in Daytona Beach, Florida, Weber said judges should have greater discretion when considering repeat offenders and community safety in bail decisions.
He also called for regularly reviewing New York’s discovery and witness protection laws to address changing technology and prevent retaliation against people who cooperate with police.
On illegal vape shops and massage parlors, Weber suggested stronger licensing penalties for repeat violations and additional state support for local law enforcement.
▶️ Watch the bail reform discussion — 14:53
▶️ Watch the discovery reform discussion — 17:17
▶️ Watch the illegal-business enforcement discussion — 19:10
Drug-impaired driving was also discussed, including proposed legislation to improve enforcement against drivers impaired by cannabis and other drugs.
Weber expressed support for continuing the legislation and emphasized additional funding for police training, including Drug Recognition Experts, and appropriate testing equipment.
▶️ Watch the drug-impaired driving discussion — 23:35
The conversation also covered fentanyl, emerging dangerous substances and addiction treatment. Weber said state laws and testing capabilities must keep pace with changing substances.
When asked about kratom, Weber supported a statewide ban on sales and emphasized the importance of treatment and counseling for people experiencing substance use disorders.
▶️ Watch the discussion on fentanyl and emerging substances — 26:13
School Funding, Healthcare and Immigration
Asked about New York’s Foundation Aid formula, Weber said the distribution of state education funding should be reviewed to make it more equitable among school districts.
He noted that education costs ultimately fall on taxpayers, whether funding comes from the state or local property taxes.
▶️ Watch the school funding discussion — 21:20
On healthcare affordability, Weber emphasized competition among health insurance providers and giving residents more choices.
▶️ Watch the healthcare discussion — 31:18
Asked about New York’s spending on services for asylum seekers, Weber questioned current spending priorities and suggested directing resources toward programs that could help people obtain lawful immigration status more efficiently.
He also expressed concern about state spending increases and whether Long Island receives an appropriate share of state funding.
▶️ Watch the immigration discussion — 32:11
Voter ID and Election Reform
When asked whether voters should be required to present identification at the polls, Weber expressed support for a voter ID requirement and suggested providing free identification cards to underserved residents.
▶️ Watch the voter ID and Election Reform discussion — 34:36
The conversation then turned to fusion voting, which allows candidates to appear on multiple political party ballot lines.
Weber supported retaining fusion voting while considering additional safeguards in the nomination process, including potentially requiring candidates to sign nomination paperwork earlier.
Protecting Long Island’s Waterways and Environment
Environmental protection was one of Weber’s most detailed discussions during the interview.
Drawing on his experience as Northport Village’s Commissioner of Docks and Waterways, Weber discussed protecting Long Island’s drinking water, improving harbor conditions and strengthening coastal infrastructure.
Weber emphasized the importance of protecting Long Island’s underground aquifers and reducing pollution entering local waterways.
He described Northport Village projects connecting waterfront homes to municipal sewers, including completed connections for 19 homes on Bluff Point and 24 homes in Northport Bay Estates. He said another phase involving approximately 90 homes is planned.
Weber also cited a D grade for Northport Harbor in a Long Island Sound Study report card and said improving water quality requires continued investment in sewer infrastructure and pollution prevention.
Coastal resilience was another priority. Weber discussed shoreline stabilization, flood mitigation and stormwater management as ways to address increasingly damaging coastal storms.
He said environmental investments are important not only for homeowners but also for industries that depend on healthy waterways, including recreational boating and commercial fishing.
Weber also described Northport’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan and a proposed harbor walk intended to improve pedestrian access and create additional green space along the waterfront.
He said his experience developing local projects, securing funding and coordinating environmental improvements could be applied throughout Assembly District 12.
▶️ Watch the discussion on water quality and coastal resilience — 39:10
Hear the Candidates. Know Your Choices.
These highlights represent only part of the conversation. Huntington Matters encourages residents to watch the full interview to hear each question, the candidate’s complete response and any follow-up discussion.
As Huntington Matters President June Margolin reminds viewers:
“An informed community is a stronger community. Get to know your candidates, make your voice heard, and get out and vote!”
Candidate: David Weber Jr.
Office Sought: New York State Assembly District 12
Ballot Lines: Republican; Conservative
Candidate Website: DaveWeberJr.com
Facebook: Dave Weber for NYS Assembly
Instagram: @daveweberforny
Election Day: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Early Voting: October 24 – November 1, 2026
General Election Information | Early Voting Information | Voter Information
Prefer watching on Facebook? Watch Craig Herskowitz’s complete interview on the Huntington Matters Facebook page.
Watch more Huntington Matters Candidate Interviews: HuntingtonMatters.com
About Huntington Matters Candidate Interviews
Huntington Matters has conducted candidate interviews since 2015 to help residents get to know their choices at the polls.
All candidates have been invited to participate in the 2026 General Election Candidate Interview series. If a candidate does not appear, they were unavailable or did not accept the invitation.
Huntington Matters does not endorse any political candidate or political party.
