Candidate Profile: James Coll Running For Senate District 6

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8. In the 6th Senate District, incumbent Democrat Kevin Thomas is being challenged by Republican James Coll.

The 6th Senate District includes Bethpage, East Meadow, Farmingdale, Franklin Square, Garden City, Garden City South, Hempstead, Hicksville, Island Trees, Lakeview, Levittown, Malverne, Massapequa, Old Bethpage, Plainedge, Salisbury, Seaford, Uniondale, Wantagh and West Hempstead.

Early voting starts on Oct. 29. You can check your voter registration and find your polling place by clicking here.

In anticipation of the election, Patch asked candidates in the races to answer questions about their campaigns. Here are their answers, lightly edited for clarity.

Name

James Coll

Campaign website

https://collforsenate.com

City or town of residence

Seaford, NY

Office sought

NY State Senate, District 6

Party affiliation

Republican

Education

Bachelor's Degree in American History (Hofstra University), Master's Degree in American History (Hunter College).

Occupation

Retired NYPD Detective (21 years). Adjunct Professor of American & Constitutional History at Nassau Community College (21 years).

Family

I have two children. Kathleen, age 17, and Robert, age 15.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My father and older brother are retired NYPD police officers. My younger brother is currently an NYPD police officer. (We have all worn the exact same shield number. Very proud of that!)

Age

50

Previous public office, appointive or elective

I have never held public officer before (outside of my role as police officer/detective and adjunct professor in a public college).

Why are you seeking this office?

I am seeking to serve because I am concerned about the direction of our state. In nearly every metric, New York is heading down the wrong track. From crime to lack of affordability to lack of ethics to recently-released tests scores to unreasonable burdens on our individual rights, Albany has become the barometer of a government plagued by the dangers of one-party rule and a lack of balance. Having two children in high school provides me with a drive to consider the reality that our state is driving people — those who are young and those who are retirees — to find a better life elsewhere. We can and we must turn this around.

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

The major difference is that I will stand up for and support the best policies that protect the families and wallets of my neighbors in Nassau County. I will not be a rubber-stamp for party leaders in Albany and NYC that have shown they don't care about the impact of their failed legislation on Long Islanders. I will be a leader in supporting lawful criminal justice reform that centers on taking adequate care of victims instead of catering to the criminally accused. I will vote against pet projects that help party leaders and do nothing to Nassau County — like the $1 billion stadium in Buffalo. I will be a dedicated supporter of first responders, including our healthcare workers that were the real heroes of the pandemic. I will be in the community to represent the needs of the constituents.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

My opponent has been a rubber-stamp for every failed policy out of Albany of the past four years. From cashless bail to giving away his legislative power to an unlawful redistricting process to failing to recognize the unique economic concerns of Nassau County, he has been in the pocket of a rogue governor followed by one that is inept. My opponent supported our former Lt. Governor when he was under federal investigation and only withdrew support following an indictment. He has supported individuals instrumental in the "Defund the Police" movement and others responsible for chasing a major Amazon HQ from being located in downstate NY. He has failed to step up to party leaders and made excuses that are constantly evolving about why he hasn't been a real leader for Nassau County.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Public Safety, the Opioid Epidemic, Education, Economic Development, Infrastructure and a Return to Ethics and Constitutional Governance are among the major initiatives that I will be addressing during my tenure as State Senator for the 6th District.

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

My role as an NYPD police officer for over two decades shows that I am a problem solver. After Sept 11th, I volunteered for the department's tactical and rescue Emergency Service Unit so that I could do more to help the people I worked for in New York City. In 2010, I was deployed to Haiti following a devastating earthquake and in 2017 to Texas following Hurricane Harvey. I helped train officers in how to handle calls involving individuals who suffer from mental issues. I am a lifelong New Yorker that has handled emergencies before and recognize that our state is facing an emergency that needs to be solved by leaders not ignored for a partisan benefit. I am on the record calling for constitutional governance and the important of taking an oath and then keeping to it. I testified before the pay raise and redistricting commissions in our state to call our their lack of constitutional authority and stood up to my own party in running the only Republican primary in Nassau County in 2018. I have been in the classroom for over 20 years and see that problems being faced by students as they navigate their education beyond high school. As the father of two teenagers, I have seen firsthand the impact of our state's COVID policies that were based more on politics than science and the effect this type of one-way thinking can have on our young people. I have the experience to lead and have shown it at every challenge faced in my life.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

"Always do the right thing, even when no-one is looking." -My Dad

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am running not because I need a new job or a fancy title. I believe our state is in crisis and the fact that I have two children means I cannot stand by as our values and the things we hold dear are in danger of evaporating for a misguided political agenda. We can do better than we currently have in Albany. We need to start firing people to let them know it is our seat and not theirs. I ask you to hold me to the same standards when I am in office. Thank you for your consideration.