Meet The Candidate: Leigh-Ann Barde For District 10 Suffolk County Legislator

DISTRICT 10 SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Suffolk County voters will head to the polls soon to elect representatives in local and county races. Election Day this year is Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Patch invited each candidate running for Suffolk County Legislature District 10 to answer questions about their campaigns. Democratic candidate Leigh-Ann Barde is running for the seat.

Name

Leigh-Ann Barde

Age on Election Day

40

Campaign website

leighannforsuffolk.com

City/Town

Central Islip

What office are you seeking

Suffolk County Legislator, District 10

Party affiliation

Democratic Party

Education

Degree in Paralegal Studies, Kaplan University

Occupation

Community advocate and Chairwoman of the Islip Town Democratic Committee

Family

Married with four sons, including two children with special needs

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
My husband works at the Board of Elections.

Have you ever held a public office?
No. However, I currently serve as Chairwoman of the Islip Town Democratic Committee and have spent over a decade as a community volunteer, advocate, and youth leader in Central Islip.

Why are you seeking this office?
I’m running for County Legislature because working families in Suffolk County deserve a government that truly works for them. As a mom of four — including two children with special needs — I know how hard it is to afford life on Long Island, to navigate complicated county systems, and to fight for the services your children deserve. I’m running to make Suffolk more affordable, more accountable, and more responsive to families like mine.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is affordability and this is what I intend to do about it:
Families are being crushed by the cost of living. I’ll fight to waive county sales tax on daily necessities like home energy bills, expand access to affordable childcare, and create workforce housing on underused county-owned land. These steps will help families keep more of their paychecks while strengthening our communities.

What needs to be done to address water quality issues on Long Island?
Protecting our environment is protecting our future. I’ll fight for stronger investment in sewer infrastructure, stormwater management, and contamination remediation — especially at Lake Ronkonkoma. I’ll also champion policies that safeguard our aquifers, beaches, and marine industries.

How can we improve infrastructure and highways?
We need to invest in safe, modern, and resilient infrastructure. That means repairing county roads, improving drainage to prevent flooding, and building more walkable, pedestrian-friendly downtowns. Our infrastructure must be built to serve both today’s needs and tomorrow’s challenges.

How would you help local business owners struggling with high rents, inflation, and labor shortages?
I’ll push for tax relief and reduced fees on small businesses, support redevelopment of county-owned properties for workforce housing near job centers, and help connect local employers with county job placement and training programs. When small businesses thrive, our communities grow stronger.

How have federal issues impacted local government?
Rising inflation and energy costs — driven by national and global factors — are putting tremendous pressure on working families. Suffolk County can help offset these burdens by cutting local costs, investing in affordability measures, and ensuring county programs are efficient, transparent, and accessible.

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

I have over a decade of community leadership as a youth coach, PTA and SEPTA advocate, and volunteer with programs like the Knights of Columbus Thanksgiving “Feed the Needy” initiative. I am the vice president and a longtime coach with Central Islip Little League. As Chairwoman of the Islip Town Democratic Committee, I’ve led efforts to make local government more inclusive and accountable. I’ve also been a tireless advocate for children and families navigating educational and special needs services.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidate seeking this post?
I’m not a career politician — I’m a working mom, a community advocate, and a lifelong volunteer who understands what families are going through. My opponent represents politics as usual. I represent working families and the belief that government should deliver real results for everyday people.

Anything else you’d like voters to know:
I’m running to make Suffolk County work for everyone — not just the wealthy and well-connected. I believe in compassion-driven, common-sense leadership that delivers real results for working families. I’ll never stop fighting for affordability, fairness, and opportunity for all.