Editorial: Our choices for Election Day

There are plenty of familiar faces on this year’s ballot. They’ve heard what East End residents are asking for: homes that year-round families can afford, clean drinking water, responsible development and taxes that leave enough to keep living here.

Those concerns came up again and again when candidates visited our office. Incumbents and challengers differed on how to address them, but their passion for this community came through.

The most immediate choice is who should lead Riverhead Town Hall. Supervisor Jerry Halpin, an independent running on the Democratic line, faces Republican Councilman Ken Rothwell barely a year after voters handed Mr. Halpin a 37-vote victory over Tim Hubbard. A state law moving most local elections to even-numbered years shortened his current term to one year.

Mr. Rothwell brings a substantial record. A longtime Wading River volunteer firefighter, he has helped support the Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps’ new headquarters and its medical billing system. His emphasis on modernizing town operations, improving services and attracting businesses to EPCAL reflects a practical understanding of Riverhead’s needs.

At our roundtable, he also called for a townwide reassessment to address an uneven tax burden and investment in technology to make building and planning processes more efficient. Those are worthwhile priorities, and his willingness to discuss reassessment deserves attention. Fairness in taxation matters as much as the size of the bill.

Mr. Rothwell deserves credit for his latest budget work, too. The Town Board approved his six amendments to Mr. Halpin’s preliminary spending plan, reducing the proposed tax-levy increase from 2.79% to 1.79%. The formal public hearing is not until Nov. 5, two days after Election Day. The board must adopt the budget by Nov. 20.

It does raise the question of why Mr. Rothwell and his colleagues couldn’t exercise similar fiscal restraint during Riverhead’s four consecutive tax-cap overrides.

Mr. Halpin’s original proposal would already have kept the town within the state tax cap. His retirement incentive is projected to save the general fund about $819,000 next year. 

In his roundtable interview, Mr. Halpin emphasized listening to department staff, scrutinizing spending and carefully vetting future EPCAL partners.

More visibly, Mr. Halpin has embraced his role as Riverhead’s cheerleader, whether taking a turn in a dunk tank or hopping aboard a snowplow during a blizzard. He has been a calming influence as the lone non-Republican on the Town Board.

Last year, we endorsed Mr. Hubbard over Mr. Halpin. Our concern was whether his decades of pastoral leadership and community service would translate into the day-to-day demands of municipal government. He now has a record for voters to examine, rather than promises alone.

We did endorse Mr. Rothwell for reelection to the Town Board last year, a seat he would retain if he loses the supervisor race.

The two make an odd couple, but their differing approaches could provide a useful check on each other during the town’s next crucial stretch.

The editorial board has selected Jerry Halpin for a full, two-year term as Riverhead supervisor.

In the 1st Senate District, Democrat Chris Murray brings experience in higher education and environmental advocacy to his challenge against Republican incumbent Anthony Palumbo. His proposals include first-home savings accounts and increased state support for community colleges, approaches aimed at two major costs facing young families.

Mr. Murray also proposes reducing the state sales-tax rate by 1 percentage point, replacing the lost revenue with higher income taxes on the top 8% of earners. He supports the New York Health Act, which would establish a statewide single-payer health care system, arguing that it could reduce expenses for businesses, school districts and local governments.

Mr. Palumbo brings a legislative record and firsthand knowledge of the North Fork. The New Suffolk resident sponsored the Senate legislation enabling East End community housing funds. While serving in the Assembly, he also helped establish Southold’s first-time-homebuyer exemption from the Community Preservation Fund transfer tax.

Those measures created tools for local communities. Putting the housing fund to work through programs residents can use remains a separate task.

He has been able to get things done, even with a Democratic majority. That’s because he’s able to work across party lines, something that we could use more of at all levels of government.

Mr. Palumbo deserves a fourth term for his legislative work and established relationships in Albany.

In the 2nd Assembly District, Riverhead educator Kimberly Wilder is offering an independent alternative on the Voter Options line. Her work with Riverhead RASI reflects a longstanding interest in schools and local accountability. She supports accessory dwelling units to expand housing options and stronger protections against corporate exploitation of personal data.

Democrat Michael Szika of Manorville is also on the ballot, but did not respond to our requests for an interview or comment.

Republican incumbent Jodi Giglio brings a decade of Riverhead Town Board experience and three Assembly terms to her reelection bid. Her background in local government and business gives her a practical grounding in infrastructure, land use and the cost of government.

At our roundtable, she focused on Albany’s spending, property taxes and rising energy costs, arguing for greater fiscal restraint and a more gradual transition to renewable energy. Those concerns are central to whether families and businesses can afford to remain here.

Her priorities also include connecting Calverton residents affected by PFAS contamination to public water and preserving Baiting Hollow’s Dorothy P. Flint 4-H Camp. Both require continued attention; neither should be treated as a finished job. Her work on the Assembly’s Agriculture and People with Disabilities committees connects her to other important needs within the district.

Ms. Giglio knows this community and remains engaged with its concerns. Her experience and focus on affordability make the stronger case.

The editorial board has selected Jodi Giglio for a fourth term.

In the race for New York’s 1st Congressional District, Democrat Chris Gallant brings military and community service to his first congressional campaign against Republican incumbent Rep. Nick LaLota. His affordability proposals include adapting underused buildings for housing. He also called for immigration-enforcement oversight and objected to using municipal funding requests as leverage in policy disputes.

The former Black Hawk helicopter pilot has also worked as an FAA air traffic controller, served as a union leader and volunteered with the Copiague Fire Department. But he has never held elected office and declined to debate Mr. LaLota, passing up an opportunity for voters to compare the candidates side by side.

Mr. LaLota’s record includes helping secure a substantial increase in the federal deduction cap for state and local taxes, known as SALT. The cap rose from $10,000 to $40,000 for 2025 and stands at $40,400 for 2026.

Mr. LaLota has also secured funding for Southold police vehicles and radios, Riverhead environmental cleanup and public-water connections for Calverton homes. Those projects document his work on East End needs beyond the ceremonial check presentations.

While we wish Mr. LaLota had accepted our invitation for an in-person or virtual interview — he declined, citing scheduling conflicts — the Navy veteran has shown up for Riverhead and the East End.

The editorial board has selected Nick LaLota for a third term.