Nassau GOP Taps Massapequan Mike Venditto to Run for Schmitt's Seat

Michael Venditto of Massapequa has been selected by Nassau Republicans to run for the open seat previously held by county Legis. Peter Schmitt prior to hissudden death of a heart attack at age 62 last week.

Venditto, an attorney and the son of Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto, was nominated Thursday night to run on the Republican side in the 12^th Legislative District, which includes Massapequa, Massapequa Park and parts of Seaford and North Massapequa. Nassau Democrats have tapped lifelong Republican Joanne Maglione of Massapequa Park to run for the open seat. The special election, which was scheduled for Nov. 6, will determine which party controls the Nassau County Legislature, which after Schmitt’s death features nine Democrats and nine Republicans.

Venditto has served as legal counsel for the Hempstead Town Board since 2010. From 2006-2010, Venditto, a 2006 graduate of St. John’s University School of Law, was the Town of Hempstead’s deputy attorney.

"Michael Venditto is the future of our community," said Nassau Republican Chairman Joseph N. Mondello in a statement.  "He will work with County Executive Ed Mangano and the Republican majority to hold the line on taxes, cut wasteful county spending, and downsize county government in order to return Nassau to fiscal stability without raising taxes. While no one can fill Peter Schmitt's shoes, no one is better qualified to carry on his fight for Nassau taxpayers than Michael Venditto."

A phone call to Venditto Friday morning seeking comment on his candidacy was not immediately returned.