Nassau Dems Tap DeRiggi-Whitton As Caucus Leader Pick For 2024

GLEN COVE, NY — Democratic Nassau Legis. Delia DeRiggi-Whitton has been tapped to serve as leader of the minority caucus in 2024, according to a news release.

DeRiggi-Whitton, 55, of Glen Cove, won her seventh two-year term post with more than 64 percent of the vote in last month's election. DeRiggi-Whitton will succeed Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams, who has served in the role since 2012, and is leaving office at year’s end after not seeking re-election.

Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton said the caucus will remain "keenly focused upon oversight of the [County Executive Bruce] Blakeman administration."

In a statement to Patch, Blakeman said that he loos forward to working with DeRiggi-Whitton "on issues of mutual concern to make the county a better and safer place to live."

DeRiggi also said she will reaffirm the Legislature’s crucial role as a provider of checks and balances as a coequal branch of government, and prioritize the delivery of initiatives that will make the county more affordable, protect the environment, and preserve public safety.

She vowed to work toward reinvesting in infrastructure and enhance the response to the ongoing opioid drug addiction crisis.

DeRiggi-Whitton said that being selected at such "a dynamic time" in the Legislature's history "is a tremendous honor, and I am deeply humbled by the trust they have placed in me.”

In her statement, she thanked Democratic Committee Chairman Jay Jacobs and her colleagues for their support, and extended her gratitude to Abrahams "for his guidance and leadership during the last 12 years."

"I am beyond proud to lead our team into the future, and we are ready to directly confront and overcome Nassau County’s greatest challenges," she said.

Her selection will be formalized in January during organizational meetings.

Under the county's charter, the legislator who receives a majority of votes from the body’s 19 members becomes the presiding officer and the runner-up in that tally from the opposing party becomes the minority leader.

Before her election to the Legislature, DeRiggi-Whitton served two terms on the Glen Cove City Council, where she began to build her reputation as a fiscal hawk and strident environmental advocate who was acutely aware of the community’s needs.

DeRiggi-Whitton, whose daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, was involved in numerous philanthropic endeavors such as the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, becoming an outspoken advocate for diabetes awareness, treatment, and research, and remains a prolific fundraiser who has helped to raise well over $1 million through annual “Cooking for a Cure” events.

She is a founding board member of the not-for-profit First City Project Collective, which leverages the "community-building power of the arts to spark an artistic and economic renaissance in downtown Glen Cove," her office said.

The organization's annual Toys for Tots drive at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum has grown from its roots in Glen Cove to become the largest one-day collection event in America.

DeRiggi-Whitton is married to Richard Valicenti, with whom she has three adult daughters and a stepson.

DeRiggi-Whitton comes has public service in her roots.

Her father, Hon. Donald DeRiggi, is a retired Nassau County judge and past mayor of Glen Cove.

Delia’s mother, Dr. Mildred “Millie” DeRiggi, is a noted local historian who worked as an answer/question writer for the legendary quiz shows, “Jeopardy!” and “G.E. College Bowl,” during the 1960s.