Democrat Skyler Johnson Taking Run At Assemb. Ed Flood's 4th Assembly District Seat

PORT JEFFERSON, NY — Democrat Skyler Johnson announced his run against Republican incumbent Assemb. Ed Flood in the 4th Assembly District at a news conference at Mary Bayles Park in Port Jefferson on Friday, according to a news release.

Skyler, a Mount Sinai native, has worked in the non-profit sector, advocating "for underserved and marginalized communities," including working to help re-integrate formerly incarcerated women, and has spent the last year knocking on doors across the district, getting to "hear the visceral frustration" residents have against Flood with some claiming their requests for help have been unmet, his campaign said.

Johnson, who previously ran unsuccessfully for the senate, decided to run "after a long period of speaking to community leaders, committee members, and other neighbors about whether running was the best way to serve, according to his campaign.

He serves as a trustee at his synagogue, Temple Beth Emeth of Mt. Sinai, and also on the board of Planned Parenthood Hudson-Peconic Action Fund.

Johnson has been endorsed by Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, former Port Jefferson Mayor Margot Garant, and Assemb. Chuck Lavine.

The district voted for Biden by over eight points, but Flood won in 2022 by less than seven hundred votes amidst low Democratic turnout in the midterm elections, Johnson's campaign said.

The assembly district will be amongst the most competitive and highly-targeted races state-wide in 2024 with Johnson prepared to run a robust and well-resourced campaign to flip this seat back into responsive people-first leadership.

“Assembly District 4 lacks representation in Albany," Johnson said, adding that he is running for state assembly "to bring back a focus on quality of life issues."

"If I have the honor of being elected, we’re going to protect our environment and drinking water, bring jobs to Suffolk County, and create affordable housing to allow our communities to thrive on Long Island," he said.

“Ed Flood has abandoned our community, we can’t afford to elect a representative, Democratic or Republican, who only shows up when they need votes," he said.

“We have serious issues that deserve our attention here, from our roads and rails to our environment which deserves a zealous advocate."

GOP Chairman Jesse Garcia said, Flood "has shown he represents the values of the people of his district and "works tirelessly on their behalf."

Garcia noted that the election is a year away, saying the assemblyman "will continue to focus on the issues important to the voters of his district, public safety, and the cost of living."

“Johnson ran unsuccessfully for senate last cycle and seems to be an opportunist," he said. "He is part of the Democratic party — the party that voters here in Suffolk recently turned away from because they, and Johnson, represent the policies that have increased crime and increased the number of illegal migrants here in New York."