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News 12 Staff

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Welcome back to the special voters guide edition of Power and Politics. I'm Rich Barab. We're now shining a light on our state elections and one of the key battleground races in the State Senate is in northwestern Nassau County. It's a race that may be heavily influenced by how voters feel about what's happening in Albany and Washington. Great to meet you as well. Thank you. State Senator Jack Martins is used to tough campaigns. The Republican incumbent from Old Westbury has won and lost close races before on this day, Senator Martins was joined on the campaign trail by NASA legislator Mozzie Pup in Great Neck. Martin says here and across the seventh Senate district, voters are looking for pushback against the policies put forth by Governor Kathy Hochul and progressive democrats in Albany. People realize that we need a correction in New York State and that means sending people to Albany who are going to stand up to the runaway spending to the attic, controlled policies to prioritize criminals over our law abiding citizens and put resources back in our schools. I live here in Washington. I've lived here for 23 years. Democrat Kim Kerman of Port Washington is citing strong grassroots support in her effort to oust Martens Kerman won a primary earlier this year and says she's best positioned to advocate for Long Islanders in our state capital with a focus on affordability and the environment. I'm deeply committed to representing the unique needs, interests and values of Long Islanders in Albany if that means speaking out with or against my party. Um I'm willing to do it. This Senate district is about as purple as it gets. Republicans and Democrats have traded this seat back and forth over the years. And this year there's an added impact the presidential race, the performance of the candidate at the top of the ticket. Kamala Harris Donald Trump will go a long way toward determining who wins that race. Right? Voters in the first state Senate district on our East end have consistently elected Republicans to serve them in Albany. But this year the democratic challenger is looking to make history in more ways than 12 terms. State Senator Anthony Palumbo says his signature achievement is passing legislation allowing East End towns to expand affordable housing options through a community fund. The Republican from New Suffolk says in many other areas, though Albany should take a step back, I want to reduce the size of government. Keep us out of your pocket books, keep us out of your bedroom, keep us focused on the issues that matter which is affordability and low taxes for our residents. Palumbo's opponent is former Suffolk County legislator Sarah Anker. The Democrat from Mount Sinai served her district for 12 years before reaching the term limit. Anchor says she's laser focused on advocating for the issues that affect this community. We need to make sure New York State hears our area loud and clear, clean up our water, fix our roads, address illegal dumping and I have the passion to be able to get things done. There are two inconsistent truths in this race. Democrats have the voter advantage by about 7000 people and yet Republicans have not lost in this district since 1912. One of the most competitive races in the state assembly is in southern Nassau county. It's the rubber match and a rivalry between assemblyman Brian Curran and former assembly woman, Judy Griffin. Our Kurt Seder reports in the 21st assembly district. It's Deja Vu all over again. It would be with the time breaker, you know, round 33 times. So this is like our playoff in one corner. The incumbent Brian Curran. Thank you. Appreciate it. Thank you. Don't forget to vote. He's focusing his re election campaign on taxes, crime and immigration, making sure that you make it more affordable to live here that most importantly that their families are safe in this community. His opponent, the former assembly member Judy Griffin, she's also focused on the economy and the opioid epidemic. Griffin believes the district needs a moderate voice in Albany when I lost even before it was determined, people were calling me up like I hope you're going to run again. And history has shown that this truly is a toss up district. Brian Curran represented the area from 2000 10 to 2018 before Judy Griffin defeated him. She's represented the area for four years and then two years ago, it was current taking the seat back winning an election decided by less than 200 votes. This election Curran points to bail reform as a key difference between them. She voted for bail reform. I voted against it. We passed significant rollbacks, Griffin. Meanwhile, abortion rights, we codified Roe V Wade. We did that in 2019. When my opponent was in office, he voted no on anything to give women the right to their reproductive autonomy. And what that act actually allowed was abortions up to the date of birth. That's too far for me. I'm a person that believes that a woman has a right to choose. Now. It's up to residents to decide who wins the rubber match. Now to the 15th state assembly district. This one's in eastern Nassau county. Republican freshman incumbent Jake Blumen Cranz is facing a challenge from a Farmingdale dad. 41 year old Will Murphy is a democrat and professor at Saint John's University. Both of their campaigns are playing out across the district and on social media. This campaign presents you with two choices, a candidate who wouldn't last a day in your shoes. And a candidate who's just like you. Assemblyman. Jake Bluma is here at the Mill School for the deaf. One of the many 4201 schools, we're fighting for funding for both candidates. Say when they speak to people in the district, everyone's talking about one key issue affordability. Two years ago, Republicans slipped the fourth assembly district in Suffolk County Democrats believe this election though they can take it right back. Assembly member Ed Flood is seeking re election in the fourth assembly district for the first time. I wanna lower your cost of living. I wanna make sure our streets are safe. I wanna fully educate our Children. Last month, flood made headlines for being disbarred by a state appellate court. He says it's for an administrative matter and is confident it will be resolved. Meanwhile, democratic challenger Rebecca Kay is a small business owner. She also serves as poor. Jefferson's deputy mayor. She plans to address environmental concerns, illegal cannabis shops and the fentaNYL crisis. We all know someone who's been poisoned and lost to fentaNYL and and is suffering from addiction. So we need to get very serious as New York state government in tackling this epidemic and a common theme ringing true here. Both candidates once again agreed that the cost of living has to be a priority to give Long Islanders a chance to stay here at home. Still ahead on this power and politics vote 2024 voters guide special, a proposed amendment to the state constitution will be on your ballot next month and it's already sparking lots of controversy. We'll break down why so many New Yorkers are split on prop one and what it could do for girls, sports and reproductive rights.

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Welcome back to Power and Politics and our voters guide edition of the program. I'm Rich Fare. When you cast your ballot in the upcoming election, you're not just voting for people but also proposals that could impact legislation moving forward. We're talking about a potential amendment to the New York State Constitution, changing the classes by which people are afforded equal protection under the law. Those in favor of prop one say it would enshrine abortion rights in New York, those against say otherwise. And then some news Salt's Kurt Seder breaks down the debate over prop one, prop. One is the only statewide measure on the ballot. This November, it would extend equal protections to a number of classes not currently covered by the state constitution, like sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation or gender identity. Supporters say it would strengthen the right to abortion in our state. Reproductive justice is one of the aspects. Um You know, and an important one is we've seen these abortion bans um happen across the country and women losing their lives. What you will find in it are all sorts of other changes to the New York State Constitution that have nothing at all to do with abortion, former congressman Lee Zeldin, and other opponents of prop one say that could lead to males being allowed to play on female sports teams or using female restrooms, non citizens gaining the right to vote and parents losing a role in their child's health decisions. They say prop one's language is too vague asking New Yorkers before you go vote, get educated on what it says. But supporters say it's straightforward and that prop one would not only protect abortion rights but the rights of people who have been fighting discrimination for years. Like the LGBT Q community, people are gonna be able to have equal opportunity as LGBT Q, New Yorkers and no matter who they are uh to be able to achieve their dreams and be able to do whatever they wanna do without fear of discrimination. The State board of Elections has made the full text of prop one available to the public as they do with any ballot measure. We have a link to that website available right now on ours News twelve.com. Now, if you need more information on who or what will be on your ballot. This election day, head to News twelve.com right now. We have a complete voter guide for you there. Basically everything you're seeing here, but you'll be able to read it for yourself and don't forget News 12 will have special coverage on election night, Tuesday, November 5th. We are live all night long tracking all of the local races as well. Of course, as the presidential race, I'll be with you alongside a full team of anchors, reporters and analysts here in studio and all across Long Island. It starts Tuesday night at 9 p.m. This has been our special voters guide edition of Power and Politics. I'm Rich Barra and remember local elections lead to national change.

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A final look at all the races and candidates before Election Day on Nov. 5. 

Power & Politics: Final look at Long Island races and candidates before Election Day

A final look at all the races and candidates before Election Day on Nov. 5.

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