Knock and Drag operations are underway across Suffolk as the political parties work to GOTV.
Everything has been pretty much said and done, and now it’s up to the voters and the push to Get Out The Vote. With a bare-knuckle fight between the heavyweights at the top of the card, Trump vs. Harris, interest in the election is at a fever pitch, with records set for early voting.
On Long Island, the Republicans are looking for the former president to lift all boats and help them maintain their edge in Congress. Three-term Rep Andrew Garbarino is expected to cruise to victory, while Congressman Nick LaLota's freshman race may be a nail-biter as former CNN anchor John Avlon is running a well-financed campaign against him.
Fifteen-year Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is favored to keep her seat against former NYC cop Mike Sapraicone.
No change is expected for the balance of power in the state legislature, which Democrats have long dominated. A race to watch is who will fill longtime Assemblyman Fred Thiele’s seat on the East End in a race pitting Republican Steve Kiley, a Shelter Island attorney, against Democrat Tommy John Schiavoni, a Southampton Town councilman.
Also on the radar for an upset is the race between first-term Assemblyman Ed Flood in Northern Brookhaven, who’s facing a challenge by Rebecca Kassay, the Port Jefferson deputy mayor. Eyes are also on the race between Senator Tony Palumbo and former Suffolk Legislator Sarah Anker, both of whom received substantial public campaign funds. Incumbent Senator Dean Murray and Assembly members Joe DeStefano and Jodi Giglio are looking good.
Voters are also reminded to flip their ballots to vote on two propositions: a controversial measure to enshrine certain rights into the state Constitution and an increase in the sales tax by an eighth of a penny for sewers and private cesspool upgrades.
Turnout of the party faithful at Suffolk GOP headquarters in Medford was heavy as the candidates made impassioned pleas to their supporters. They believe the issues run in their favor—stopping illegal immigration, curbing inflation, fighting crime, and lifting the economy. Now it’s up to the campaign workers to knock and drag voters to the polls open today until 9.