Arora, 41, of Hicksville, is running on the Democratic, Working Families and Women’s Equality party lines. Arora, who is also known as “Rae,” works as the head of financial operations for a real estate management company in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. Arora was raised in Old Westbury and is a 1994 graduate of The Wheatley School in Old Westbury. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from New York University. After graduation, Arora interned at PaineWebber, an accounting firm in Weekawken, New Jersey. Arora also worked in retail sales on Long Island. This is his first run for public office. Arora is married and has three children.

Arora said he is running because “our Nassau County government is failing us.” Arora said an example of this failure is the county’s method of handling its finances, which he said needs “serious structural reform.” Arora also faulted the county’s method of property tax assessments. He said assessments “are the job of the county and not the towns or private contractors who also happen to be campaign donors.” Regarding recent corruption scandals, Arora said, “The portion of our property tax bill that we’re paying for the patronage jobs and no-bid contracts amounts to a corruption tax” levied on the residents. However, he said the biggest issue facing his legislative district is the Bethpage plume groundwater pollution traced to Grumman’s facility in Bethpage. Arora said of the plume, “When the government says not to worry about an environmental or contamination issue, we need to worry even more.” He said, “I will fight every single day to get real action” on the plume. Arora pledged to serve a maximum of three two-year terms because he said, “I absolutely believe in term limits.” He added, “ I have no friends or family in government, and I will not be getting anyone a job. “

Walker, 66, of Hicksville, is running on the Republican, Conservative, Independence and Reform party lines. Walker was elected to the Nassau County Legislature in 2009 and is seeking her fifth term. Walker was raised in Hicksville and is a graduate of Queen of the Rosary Academy in Amityville. Walker has a bachelor’s degree in education from Sacred Heart College. She works as a consultant for Nelson & Pope Engineers and Surveyors in Melville. Walker is an active parishioner of Holy Family R.C. Church in Hicksville and is a member of the Hicksville Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. Walker is a widow and has four children.

Walker said she is proud of her record as a county legislator. She said her record includes voting to repeal the Home Energy Tax in 2010 and “delivering seven budgets that held the line on taxes.” Walker said she has also concentrated on public safety issues. She said she has worked to provide the Nassau County Police with “the proper equipment and training needed for the safety of our residents and themselves.” However, Walker said, “I have a lot of work to continue to do in my district.” She said during the next term her efforts will include “continuing to improve county finances” and bringing “more jobs to our community.” Walker said it’s “imperative” to maintain Nassau County’s “suburban characteristics” while “we continue to look at growth and redevelopment.” She continued, “I have worked very hard to reach out to the residents of my district, to stay actively involved in many different organizations and to work together for the betterment of our county.” Walker pledged to pursue “the complete remediation and cleanup” of toxins in Grumman’s Bethpage groundwater plume “as well as other contamination cleanup within my district.”