State Assembly 2024: Parties Announce LI Rematches And Retirements

The closest local races this Fall could once again be on the South Shore: In the 21st Assembly District in the Town of Hempstead, former two-term State Assemblymember  Judy Griffin (D-Rockville Centre) has officially announced her rematch with current  Assemblymember Brian Curran (R-Lynbrook). Griffin defeated Curran by 6% in 2018 but was defeated by just 138 votes in a 2022 rematch. This district includes Baldwin and much of Freeport, as well as Malverne and East Rockaway. In the 11th Assembly District in the Town of Babylon, five-term  Assemblymember Kimberly Jean-Pierre (D-Wheatley Heights) was reelected by just 285 votes in 2022 and will be challenged by retired NYPD Lt. Commander  Joseph Cardinale (R-Lindenhurst) for a seat that includes Amityville, Copiague, and Wyandanch. 

"In [eastern] Suffolk, the parties are focused on the 1st Assembly District, as 30-year incumbent Fred Thiele Jr. (D-Sag Harbor) prepares to retire,"  reported Newsday. "Southampton Town Councilman  Tommy John Schiavoni, a Democrat, will face Shelter Island Town Attorney  Stephen Kiely, a Republican." The 1st Assembly District includes the North and South Forks as well as Eastport, and voted for President Biden (D) 60-40% over former President Trump (R). In the 4th Assembly District around Stony Brook and Setauket, there is a possible primary to decide which Democrat faces  Assemblymember Ed Flood (R-Port Jefferson),  who defeated long-time former Assemblymember and now Suffolk County Legislator Steven Englebright (D) in 2022.

In what could be the tightest North Shore race, former Congressional candidate  Daniel Norbert (R-Great Neck) will take on  Assemblymember Gina Sillitti (D-Manorhaven) in the 16th Assembly District, including Port Washington and Manhasset. Sillitti was reelected 52-48% in 2022. In two other rematches,  Aamir Sultan (R) will challenge  Assemblymember Steve Stern (D) after Stern defeated his Dix Hills neighbor 54-46% in 2022 for the 10th District, which includes Huntington Village, Huntington Station, Melville, and Woodbury. In the 13th District, for a seat that also includes Roslyn, Westbury, and Hicksville, Ruka Anzai (R-Jericho) will once again challenge  Assemblymember Chuck Lavine (D-Glen Cove) after coming within a surprisingly close 10 points of Lavine in 2022.