Meet The Candidates: Robert McCarthy For County Legislature

GARDEN CITY, NY — Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 2. With voting just around the corner, Patch is reaching out to candidates across Nassau County to find out why they're running for office, and what they hope to achieve for residents.

Democrat Robert McCarthy is challenging incumbent Republican Laura Schaefer to represent Nassau County's 14th Legislative District.

The 14th LD includes parts of Garden City, Garden City South, Carle Place, Westbury and Hicksville.

McCarthy, 25, is a Garden City resident. He spent three years teaching third grade at a Catholic school, and has recently started attending NYU to earn a law degree.

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am running for office because I think Nassau County needs better policies and that we must act urgently to address our challenges. I firmly believe that Nassau County can be the best county in New York and serve as an example for other counties. I really enjoy thinking about policy and believe we need people in local office who are committed to bridging political divides, addressing the challenges of climate change, and working to expand economic opportunity. I am seeking local office because I am a problem solver and know the importance of bringing people together.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing our county is faith in county government. I think this idea could be applied more broadly in reference to a general faith in government, with a lot of people questioning the ability for government to get anything done. To counter this, I intend to be an active legislator, hosting monthly town halls in every community I represent, building on the important work of County Executive Curran to ensure fair market based assessments, encouraging social infrastructure, such as adult intramural sports leagues, and working with the district to allocate my district's $200,000 for community projects.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am thankful for the collegial and respectful nature that has been present throughout this election. I think it's important for elections to build our communities up, so I am not interested in doing a direct comparison, but I will note the different perspectives I bring to the legislature as a young person who deeply values listening. Further, as someone who commutes into the city for school, I think the perspective of an LIRR commuter will benefit the legislature.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

Once again, I want to just offer a positive vision because I think we all have had enough with campaigns that tear people down. Obviously, I have some policy disagreements, but that is how democracy works. The Nassau County Legislature cannot do everything, but what it does do, it must do well. In addition to what I mentioned above, I want to note how I would work with County Executive Curran, whose leadership has greatly helped Nassau. In a fiduciary capacity, I think County Executive Curran's leadership is giving Nassau a clear path to refinance its debt at an even lower rate and prove financial stability. (Because of the County Executive's leadership, Nassau has been able to address its long standing debt.) I would also prioritize protecting the environment and strengthening our economy by focusing on clean water, expanding clean energy, improving public transportation, and creating a permanent farmers' market building.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

The pandemic has been a challenging time for our country. I think the local officials in Nassau County responded with clear leadership and followed science throughout. As a teacher for the past two years, I think I would have brought a helpful perspective to the legislature to talk about the impacts COVID remote schooling was having on students. I would have prioritized increasing mental health services for students, which would have had to be done by coordinating with the many school districts on Long Island. I fully understand that Nassau does not control each school district, but I also know the importance of local leaders building coalitions.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

As stated before, I firmly believe that Nassau County can serve as an example for the other counties throughout the state, and to get there we need local leaders who work hard and think creatively. As a former teacher, I am particularly focused on building pathways to Nassau Community College for all members of the community, particularly high school students and first generation college students. I would work to have dual enrollment classes for high school students and also work to expand mentoring programs for NCC students. Further, I would focus on opportunities to support small businesses by creating walkable downtowns and working with small business owners to address the challenges they face head on. Finally, I want to ensure Nassau County remains safe, building on relationships of trust and investing in mental health services for residents.

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

I have always stepped up to be a leader. In college, I served as the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy's class president and helped transform the role. Under my leadership, programming dramatically increased, a former governor visited upon my invitation, and student belonging flourished. More recently, as a teacher, I helped reopen my school during COVID by drafting the school reopening plan. In addition to having a full course load as a 3rd grade teacher, I stepped up to cover 8th grade literature, ELA, and religion before my school could find a sub (who I ultimately recruited.) I am a hard worker, and while I haven't been in elected office before, I know that I can get the job done and get it done well.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Be kind and work for something bigger, especially when it seems hardest.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am a hard worker who cares about others and sees elected office as a chance to serve. I am committed to only serving for three terms.