State Senator Anthony Palumbo can be found on the Republican and Conservative ballot lines. We believe that he is the better choice for our end of Long Island. He is also a relative newcomer to elected office, unlike his Democratic and Common Sense Party opponent, Sarah Anker. She worked in Brookhaven Town government before she joined the Suffolk Legislature in 2011. A term limit blocked her from seeking yet another re-election.
At a time when the East End needs all the help it can get, we like that Mr. Palumbo is a North Forker who lives in New Suffolk. His background gives the East End an edge in competing for state support that might not be as forceful should Ms. Anker win. The First District includes East Hampton, Southampton, Shelter Island, Riverhead, and Southold Towns and the northern portion of Brookhaven Town. With so much political power concentrated up west, it seems wrong to endorse a candidate from its farthest fringes. In interviews, Ms. Anker has not demonstrated adequate familiarity with our half of the district.
There are big, big issues at hand and Mr. Palumbo has responded. Notably, he was a supporter of the new state law that made a community housing real estate sales tax possible for the five East End towns. It is regrettable that he joined in the politicalization of incarceration by opposing bail reform, however. Increasingly, responding to sea level rise will require Albany's undivided attention, especially out here. We believe that Mr. Palumbo is in a better position to advocate for this part of the district. He should be returned to Albany.