Patch Candidate Profile: Ed Romaine For Suffolk County Executive

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Suffolk County residents will be hitting the polls soon to elect local representatives.

The race is on leading up to Election Day, which, this year, falls on Tuesday, November 7. Patch asked those running for office to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles in the days leading up to the election.

Incumbent Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine, a Republican, is facing off with Dave Calone, a Democrat, as both vie to fill the seat held by current Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone.

Here is Patch's candidate profile of Ed Romaine:

How old will you be as of Election Day?

76

Does your campaign have a website?

https://www.romaineforsuffolk....

What city or town do you live in?

Center Moriches

What office are you seeking?

Suffolk County Executive

Party affiliation.

Republican, Conservative

Education

Bachelor of History, Adelphi University, Masters in History, Long Island University

What is your occupation?

Brookhaven Town Supervisor

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

Wife: Diane
Son: Kevin
Stepdaughter: Lisa
Grandchildren: Collin, Riley, and Charlotte

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

County Legislator, 1986 to 1989
County Clerk, 1989 to 2005
County Legislator, 2006 to 2012
Brookhaven Town Supervisor, 2012 to present

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I am running to make a safer and more affordable Suffolk County.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Suffolk County residents are facing multiple critical issues like public safety and affordability. As the Brookhaven Town supervisor, I have a record of experience and results in working for a safer and more affordable Suffolk. I plan to bring the policies I instituted in Brookhaven to the county by adding more police officers, beefing up the detective squad and appointing more prosecutors to the office of District Attorney Ray Tierney.

What needs to be done to address water quality issues on LI?

As Brookhaven Town supervisor, I worked in a bipartisan manner to implement the long-stalled plan on water quality of the Carmans River. In my tenure in public service, I have successfully preserved or protected thousands of acres of open space in the Town of Brookhaven and throughout the county. I have the experience to develop the correct plan for the future of Suffolk County with the county legislature and all stakeholders. I’ve done it before — I will do it again.

What do you think can be done to help improve our infrastructure, highways, etc.?

Most money related to infrastructure is provided by the state and federal government. I have always fought mightily for Brookhaven to receive its fair share of federal and state money. As county executive, I will shake the ‘money tree’ to ensure Suffolk residents get every dollar they deserve from the federal infrastructure program and the $4.2 billion environmental bond act approved by voters in 2022.

How would you plan to help local business owners, who are struggling because of high rents, inflation and labor shortages?

Affordability is a critical issue here on Long Island. As county executive, I will work to ease the burden on small businesses. It is my intention to establish a small business center at the county to work with small businesses so that they can better compete with big chain businesses. Additionally, I will repeal the current gas tax so residents and businesses don't have to pay more to heat their homes.

What is your stance on the current migrant situation affecting New York? And migrants were to be directed to shelters on Long Island, how would you prepare/plan for that?

Suffolk County under a Romaine administration will not be a sanctuary county.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidate seeking this post?

My opponent accepted the line of the Working Families party which believes in defunding the police, clean slate, and cashless bail. I am proud to receive the support of every law enforcement union in Suffolk County.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Newsday put it best when they referred to me as, "…Long Island's most effective town supervisor."

In addition, I am proud to once again receive Newsday’s endorsement in this campaign for county executive, as well as the support and endorsement of a wide and broad coalition of organizations like the New York State League of Conservation Voters, Nassau-Suffolk Building Trades Council, Plumbers Local 200, Operating Engineers Local 138, and so many more.