SOUTH HUNTINGTON, NY – The Huntington Branch of the NAACP hosted its annual Meet the Candidates Night on Thursday, October 16, drawing a full audience to the South Huntington Public Library for an evening of civic dialogue and community engagement.
The event opened with welcoming remarks from Ruthanne Cooley, President of the NAACP Huntington Branch, followed by a prayer from Pastor Anthony Mitchell and moving renditions of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Tracey Edwards served as moderator, keeping the evening running smoothly and ensuring each candidate had an opportunity to share their views on key issues facing Suffolk County and the Town of Huntington.
Candidates in Attendance Among those participating were:
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney and Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. (both running unopposed)
State Legislative candidates: Craig Herskowitz – District 18 (Democrat), Tom Donnelly – District 17 (Incumbent, Democrat), Jason Richberg – District 15 (Incumbent, Democrat), Rebecca Sanin – District 16 (Incumbent, Democrat, Working Families), Chad Lupinacci – District 16 (Republican, Conservative) and Stephanie Bontempi – District 18 (Incumbent, Republican, Conservative), who was unable to attend due to a prior commitment, submitted a written statement that was read to the audience.
Town Supervisor candidates: Ed Smyth (Incumbent, Republican, Conservative) and Cooper Macco (Democrat)
Highway Superintendent candidates: Andre Sorrentino (Incumbent, Republican, Conservative) and Vincent Colavita (Democrat)
Town Council candidates: Greg Grizopoulos (Conservative, Republican), Stephen Anastasia (Democrat), Dave Bennardo (Incumbent, Republican, Conservative), and Jen Hebert (Democrat)
Key Discussion Topics Candidates addressed questions on six major issues:
- Public Safety and Community Trust – Maintaining safety while preserving local control over law enforcement decisions.
- Housing Affordability and Infrastructure Development – Promoting balanced growth supported by essential infrastructure.
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) – Reaffirming the importance of equity and representation in local governance.
- Operational Excellence and Customer Service in Government – Improving responsiveness and infrastructure maintenance.
- Environmental Protection and Sustainability – Addressing water quality, waste management, and long-term environmental planning.
- Community Engagement and Leadership Philosophy – Emphasizing transparency, empathy, and active connection with residents.
- Encouraging Civic Participation
The program offered voters a valuable opportunity to hear directly from candidates ahead of the upcoming election, reinforcing the NAACP’s commitment to civic education and informed participation in the democratic process.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 4th with early voting available from October 25th through November 2nd at the Dix Hills Fire Department and Huntington Public Library – Station Branch.
Find the one-on-one Huntington Matters Candidate Interviews on our website or on the Huntington Matters YouTube channel.
Photography by Dana E. Richter
