Anton Voter’s Guide 2020 edition is published by Anton Media Group

President Seeks Another Mandate ELECTION COVERAGE

BY FRANK RIZZO frizzo@antonmediagroup.com

The coronavirus changed everything. In its absence, it is thought that President Donald J. Trump would have had a much easier path to reelection. Now, Election Day 2020 has become a mandate on the president’s handling of the pandemic, and the resultant economic dislocations and suffering.

Some polls show Democratic challenger Joseph R. Biden with a double-digit lead. But everybody remembers 2016, when Hillary Clinton seemed to have a lock on the presidency, until tens of thousands of votes in several swings states swung the Electoral College in favor of the real estate mogul.

The president’s supporters generally point to his handling of the economy, with a glance at the record-high stock market. Until the pandemic, labor participation and unemployment were near historic levels. Others cite his filling the federal judiciary and Supreme Court with judges who might achieve one of the conservatives’ holy grails, reversing the 1973 Supreme Court decision legalizing abortions. They see this cadre of jurists as a bulwark against future liberal tendencies by the executive and legislative branches.

Though never reaching an overall positive job approval rating, the president has drawn good marks on keeping the country safe and on “law and order” issues. Conservatives have also cheered the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 for lowering tax rates for corporations and individuals, though those for low earners will have a sunset provision. In addition, his trade, tariff and regulatory policies, not to mention his tough immigration stance, have earned the president a

solid base of support. What his detractors see as his decidedly unpolitical behavior are embraced by his supporters.

Biden and running mate Kamala Harris seek a return to the norms that, with his unorthodox political style, the president has shattered. The former longtime senator and vice president wants to restore normalcy to politics and heal the political divide. His campaign theme is “Battle for the Soul of the Nation.”

His campaign website lists 50 proposals and plans that cover everything from race relations to bringing back manufacturing jobs. Under the banner of “Bold Ideas,” the campaign promised, “We aren’t just going to rebuild what has worked in the past. This is our opportunity to build back better than ever.”

Biden has rejected the big vision programs of his party’s far left, such as Medicare for All and the Green New Deal (though his Biden Plan to put “the United States on an irreversible path to achieve net-zero emissions, economy-wide, by no later than 2050” shares the goals of the Green New Deal).

The GOP has tried to paint Biden as a socialist, or at the very least, someone who can be captured by the Democrat’s left wing.

“I beat the socialist,” Biden said in response, referring to primary rival Senator Bernie Sanders.

Not So Blue

Looking at the presidential results in New York State for 2016 belies the state’s “deep blue” label. Yes, Clinton defeated Trump 59 to 36.5 percent. But take away the five NYC boroughs and her margin of victory was much narrower. In fact, of the 67 counties in the state, Trump won 50 of them and flipped 19 counties that had gone for Barack Obama in 2012. Closer to home, the Republican candidate won Suffolk County (51-46) while Clinton took Nassau (51-45).

Nassau County Republican Committee Chair Joseph Cairo told Anton Media Group that voter enthusiasm for President Trump remains high, stating, “There are people who might not put Trump signs out on their front lawn, but they’re going to come out and support him. I think more now than four years ago. The issues of bail reform, defunding the police—people are motivated.”

Nassau County and New York State Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs stated, “I think that upstate will still go for Trump, but not

as much. And across the country, rural communities will go for Trump a lot less than they did in 2016. I think it’s a very different election. The voters were taking a chance last time. Now they know. They’ve got more information to go by and people aren’t loving a lot of what they’re seeing in Trump—the divisiveness, and the manners and the language and the lack of respect. All those things.”

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was asked by Anton Media Group how Biden could regain the counties that President Trump won.

“He is the right candidate to win back those areas,” she replied. “I won most of them back in 2018 when I ran for reelection. I believe voters have seen a disappointing performance out of President Trump. And I think they’ve seen him mishandle this COVID pandemic severely. They’ve seen rising unemployment and a lot of families suffer. I think they’re looking for a leader who knows how to bring people together and not divide us. And someone who gets things done—and

Joe Biden is the man for that.”

Retiring representative Peter King (R–2nd District) was asked by Anton Media Group, “What advice would you give President Trump to win Long Island?”

“First thing is knock off getting in petty fights with people,” King replied. “Focus on the economy and also say he’s going to take another look at reinstating the SALT deduction,” referring to the state and local taxes that, under the tax cut passed in 2017, limited SALT deductions to $10,000 on the federal tax return. “He meant well, but realizes it’s unfair and find some way to take another look at it. But mainly, focus on the economy. And also, he has done a great job on MS-13. We had 25 [gang-related] murders in my district alone. Since he got involved, we’ve had none. He really got heavily involved with Homeland Security and the FBI and giving high-tech equipment to the Suffolk County cops and all of that. He came twice to my congressional district [to deal with MS-13]. That’s almost unheard of.”

President Donald J. Trump displays his signature after signing an Executive Order on Strengthening the Child Welfare System for America’s Children (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks | Public Domain)

Joe Biden speaking with supporters at a phone bank at his presidential campaign office in Des Moines, IA. (Gage Skidmore | CC BY-SA 2.0)

Get To Know Your Candidates

Whose running this election season

This year’s local elections are within the NYS Assembly, the State Senate as well as The House of Representatives. In these races, you have six candidates in the NYS Assembly who are the incumbent— Andrew Garbarino, Charles Lavine, David McDonough, Michael Montesano, John Mikulin, Ed Ra—with District 16 vying to fill Anthony’s D’Urso’s seat, after he announced he will not be running for re-election. In the State Senate category, you have four candidates who are the incumbent—James Gaughran, Kevin Thomas, Anna Kaplan, John Brooks—and five vying for three of those district seats. John E. Brooks, is the only candidate running this election cycle unopposed. For the Congressional seats, there are two incumbents—Kathleen Rice and Thomas Suozzi—with two challengers each vying for the 3rd and 4th District seats. The following is a key for party affiliations; Democrat (DEM), Green Party (GRE), Libertarian (LB) and Republican (REP).

• A proven system celebrating 100 years of practice, research and worldwide recognition.

• Our fully equipped spacious classroom offer the most enriched curriculum available for 18 months - 6 years.

• Fully affiliated with the American Montessori Society since 1998.

• Early drop-off / Extended day available.

NYS ASSEMBLY

District 7

Andrew Garbarino REP

Jackie Gordon DEM

Harry Burger GRE

District 13

Charles D. Lavine DEM

Andrew A. Monteleone REP

District 14

Kevin C. Gorman DEM

David G. McDonough REP

Jake Gutowitz LB

District 15

Joe Sackman DEM

Michael A. Montesano REP

District 16

Gina L. Sillitti DEM

Ragini Srivastava REP

Blay Tarnoff LBT

District 17

Mark A. Engelman DEM

John K. Mikulin REP

District 19

Gary B. Port DEM

Edward P. Ra REP

STATE SENATE

District 5

James F. Gaughran DEM

Edmund J. Smyth REP

Barbara S. Wagner GRE

District 6

Kevin M. Thomas DEM

Dennis Dunne, Sr. REP

Johnathan Gunther, LIB

District 7

Anna M. Kaplan DEM

David C. Franklin REP

District 8

John E. Brooks DEM

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

District 3

Thomas R. Suozzi DEM

George A.D. Santos REP

Howard Rabin LBT

District 4

Kathleen M. Rice DEM

Douglas L. Tuman REP

Joseph R. Naham GRE

Anna Kaplan (Photo courtesy Anna Kaplan)

Dave Franklin (Photo courtesy Dave Franklin)

Dennis Dunne Sr (Photo courtesy Dennis Dunne Sr.)

Johnathan Gunther (Photo courtesy Johnathan Gunther)

John E. Brooks (Photo courtesy John E. Brooks)

Kevin Thomas (Photo courtesy Kevin Thomas)

Andrew Garbarino (Photo courtesy Andrew Garbarino)

Ed Ra (Photo courtesy Ed Ra)

Gary Port (Photo courtesy Rick Kopstein)

Harry Burger (Photo courtesy Harry Burger)

Jackie Gordon (Photo courtesy Jackie Gordon)

Joe Sackman (Photo courtesy Joe Sackman)

Michael Montesano (Photo courtesy Michael Montesano)

Douglas Tuman (Photo courtesy Douglas Tuman)

George A. Santos (Photo courtesy George A. Santos)

Howard Rabin (Photo courtesy Howard Rabin)

Joseph Naham (Photo courtesy Joseph Naham)

Kathleen Rice (Photo courtesy Kathleen Rice)

Thomas Suozzi (Photo courtesy Thomas Suozzi)

What To Know About Ea Where and how to cast your vote

Early voting is an opportunity to secure your vote before Election Day. No matter what side of the aisle you’re on, it’s important to have your vote count. Being that our country is still battling the coronavirus pandemic, it’s important to make sure your choice is represented and reflected at the polls. According to a poll organized by The Associated Press, there are more than 20 million people that have voted in the general election, as of Oct. 16, spanning states across the country. According to L2 Political, data shows that out of the ballots cast thus far, 20 percent were cast by voters who did not vote in their state four years ago—for the 2016 election—compared to 25 percent of people who did not vote in the general election in 2016.

New York State

For New York, in particular, absentee b allot applications can be received in-person, by-mail or online. According to Vote.org, in-person ballots must be received no later than the day before Election Day. For by-mail, your application must be postmarked seven days before Election Day. For online absentee ballots, the ballots must be received seven days before Election Day. Vote.org also shares a variety of resources— polling place locator, early-voting locations, as well as dropbox and ballot information to name a few—for those looking to understand New York State voter guidelines. To learn more, visit www.vote.org. According to the New York Staate Board Elections, the last day to apply for in-person for an absentee ballot is Nov. 2. For additional resources, visit The New York State Board of Elections website, www.elections.ny.gov/ ElectionLaw.html

Nassau County

On the local side, Nassau County has specific polling places for early voters. The following is a list provided by The Nassau County Board of Elections. If you do not decide to vote early, and would like to vote on Nov. 3, you must go to your specific polling location—county, first name, last name, date of birth and zip code—based on the area you live in. You should have received a postcard in the mail—if you are a registered voter—with your specific polling location. If you have not received this card, there are ways to find out where your specific polling location is. You can visit www.nassauvotes.org or call 516-571-2411 to find out your polling location. You may also contact The Nassau County Board of Elections by email at infoboe@ nassaucountyny.gov. The Nassau County Board of Elections has two commissioners in charge. The Republican Commissioner is Joseph J. Kearney and the Democratic Commissioner is James. P. Scheuerman. For Election Day, Nassau County voters have the ability to vote at their specified polling locations between the hours of 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

rly Voting

Elmont

Public Library

700 Hempstead Tpk.

Floral Park

Recreation Center

124 Stewart St.

Freeport

Freeport Recreation Center

130 E. Merrick Rd.

Garden City

Rec. Complex St Paul’s Field House

295 Stewart Ave.

Hempstead

Brierley Park

65 Dartmouth St

Hicksville

Levittown Hall

201 Levittown Pkwy.

Massapequa Town Hall South

977 Hicksville Rd.

Mineola

Nassau County Board of Elections

240 Old Country Rd. (Fifth Floor)

North Merrick Public Library

1691 Meadowbrook Rd.

Plainview

Mid-Island Y JCC

45 Manetto Hill Rd.

Roslyn Heights

Gayle Community Center

53 Orchard St.

Wantagh

American Legion Post

1273

3484 Park Ave. Westbury

Yes We Can CenterNew Cassel

141 Garden St. West Hempstead West Hempstead Library

500 Hempstead Ave.

Dates/Times: For All Locations

Poll Workers

Throughout the early voting process and Election Day, there are poll workers needed to make sure the voting process runs as smooth as possible. According to The New York State Board of Elections, 55 percent of New York’s poll workers are over 60-years-old. This year in particular— as a result of the pandemic—there is not enough people working. A poll workers job includes preparing, setting up and assiting with a variety of tasks. Tasks include but are not limited to; cleaning equipment, processing votes, signing in people

as they come in, as well as enforcing social distancing guidelines. In order to qualify to become a poll worker, one must be of age to vote in the state of New York. Also, poll workers do get paid for the days they work and for their traiing—which they receive in order to properly perform the duties assigned. To learn more about becoming a poll worker, visit www.elections. ny.gov/BecomePollworker.html

No matter how you decide to vote— whether that is in-person, online, mail-in or early—it’s important to be safe, wear a mask and protect yourself.

Anna’s Record of Fighting for Us

• Capped property taxes, saving us thousands

• Helped thousands of families obtain unemployment benefits during COVID

• Passed common-sense gun laws that keep our community safe

• Protected women’s reproductive rights in New York

• Secured record funding for our schools