Keith Brown Vs. Thomas Cox: NYS Assembly District 12

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Republican State Assemblyman Keith Brown is seeking re-election to New York State Assembly District 12. Democratic challenger Thomas Cox is on the ballot but not actively campaigning, according to the Suffolk County Democratic Committee.

Voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Brown has held the office since the 2020 election, when he defeated Michael Marcantonio by a slim margin — 51.6 percent of the vote to 48.4. In 2022, Brown was elected with 57.5 percent of the vote over Democratic challenger Cooper Macco, who garnered 42.5 percent of the vote.

New York's 12th Assembly District includes Northport, East Northport, Centerport, Eaton's Neck, Asharoken and portions of Fort Salonga, Halesite, Greenlawn, Commack, Elwood, Dix Hills, Deer Park, and North Bay Shore.

Brown filled out a Patch Q&A form. Cox, who is not actively campaigning, could not be reached for comment.

Brown noted his experience as a municipal attorney and active member of his community as a key reason he should be re-elected.

The incumbent touted his legislation to make a wider variety of opioid reversal agents available; his support of potential cancer research budget initiatives; his push to create the SC Sewer Commission; and his co-sponsoring of the pitched legislation "Laken’s Law," which would, in part, require law enforcement agencies to forward copies of fingerprints and associated reports detailing an arrest of non-citizens to ICE.

Brown said New York needs to adjust its bail laws by giving judges discretion to hold defendants in jail "if they are a danger to our community."

He said New York State Assembly Republicans have advocated for reducing taxes and overall costs on businesses. The state's "affordable housing crisis reflects the State’s poor business climate," Brown said, so he plans to support initiatives to "help lower taxes, reduce high shipping and freight costs of building materials, and cut back regulatory obstacles would encourage more building."

"As Assemblyman, I will continue to work tirelessly to help make New York State safer, smarter and cleaner for all Long Islanders and New Yorkers," Brown said.