Power & Politics: Vote 2026 - Special Voters Guide Edition
This week's show features a comprehensive guide of candidates and key races that Long Islanders will vote on this Election Day.
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Election Day is almost here and the candidates in the most high-impact races are making their final pushes for New Yorkers' vote.
From local races to who will represent voters' communities in Congress, this Special Voters Guide Edition of Power & Politics also covers how officials are making sure the elections are fair and secure.
Race for New York Governor
The race for New York governor features a matchup of two very different candidates who have been at odds for quite some time.
Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, who is seeking a second full term as governor, is facing a challenge from Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman -- and the two are no strangers to one another.
Race for New York State Comptroller
New Yorkers will also make another big decision as to who will oversee the state's money.
Voters will decide whether to send Democratic Comptroller Tom DiNapoli to Albany for another term or give the job to Republican Challenger Joseph Hernandez.
DiNapoli has been New York's fiscal watchdog since 2007. The Great Neck Plaza Democrat said he has rebuilt trust in the office, protected taxpayer dollars by fighting corruption and safeguarded retirees' pensions.
Republican Hernandez, a Cuban immigrant turned biotech entrepreneur, however, believes it is time for a new direction. He says the office should do more to check government spending, combat fraud and re-examine how the state invests in its pension fund.
New York hasn't had a Republican comptroller since 1993.
Race for New York State attorney general
The race for New York state attorney general is another one of the most high-impact races on voters' ballots this fall.
Two-term incumbent Letitia James is facing a challenge from a former federal prosecutor and Republican challenger Saritha Komatireddy, who says the office needs to change its focus.
James is the heavy favorite in the race as most polling shows her leading by double digits.
News 12 reached out to the James campaign to interview the attorney general here on Long Island this fall but never heard back.
The 3rd and 4th Congressional District Races on Long Island
There are four congressional races here on Long Island that could decide which party controls the House of Representatives.
The New York 3rd Congressional District race in one of the most highly-competitive and expensive congressional races in the country.
It's also a rematch between incumbent Democrat Rep. Tom Suozzi and Republican challenger Mike Lipetri.
It's a seat Republicans hope to claw away from Democrats in a year where Republicans are on the defensive in many other districts.
Suozzi says he's not surprised and knows how to defend against it.
Lipetri, who came within just three percentage points of unseating Suozzi in 2024, says the time is right for a change.
The New York 4th Congressional District in Nassau County is another one of the key battleground races where Democratic freshman incumbent Laura Gillen is running for re-election against Republican challenger Jeanine Driscoll.
The 1st and 2nd Congressional District Races on Long Island
The 1st Congressional District race is between a two-term congressman and a political newcomer whose campaign has made headlines in several different ways.
At a time when affordability is on the mind for most Americans, Republican Rep. Nick LaLota says he's done everything he can to save Long Islanders money. But LaLota's opponent, Democratic challenger Chris Gallant, says Long Islanders are still feeling the pain at the pump and beyond.
Gallant is a former air traffic controller who left that job to run for Congress. He's also a Blackhawk helicopter pilot in the Army National Guard, a volunteer firefighter and he's openly gay.
Gallant's campaign changed last month when the New York Post published pictures from years ago of Gallant posing in leather straps and collars for a bondage gear company. The candidate ultimately leaned into the controversy and it led to a series of national headlines and interviews.
LaLota, who is a U.S. Navy Veteran in his own right, says Long Islanders are best served returning Republicans like him to Congress who will combat socialist policies that are taking shape in New York City and beyond.
In Long Island's South Shore, the congressional contest is featuring national issues that are also taking center stage on the Island.
Rep. Andrew Garbarino may be the most powerful member of Long Island's congressional delegation. The Republican from Bayport is the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee -- a high profile perch with key oversight responsibilities.
Garbarino's opponent is former Suffolk County executive and State Assemblyman Pat Halpin. The Democrat from Oak Beach hasn't run for office in years but says he was drawn back into the fray by his frustration with the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress.
Even Year Elections
Several other key races that are happening on Long Island are just a few of the many that will be impacted by this even year election.
Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a bill into law in 2023 that moved most local elections from odd years to even years, which took effect this year.
The state court of appeals rejected a GOP attempt to get the changes thrown out.
A federal case is pending but is not likely to impact this year's ballot.
Nassau Legislature Balance of Power
Power & Politics is also keeping a close eye on how the balance of power could change in the Nassau County Legislature this year.
For more than 15 years, the Republicans have had control and currently have an 11-8 majority.
Suffolk County passed a referendum in 2025 that extends terms to four years, so elected official in the county did not have to run again this year.
Town Supervisor Races
Five town supervisor races are happening on Long Island.
Perhaps the most hotly-contested one this year will take place in North Hempstead where Jen Desena is running for the fourth time in six years. The Republican incumbent from Manhasset says she's saved residents money and is focused on streamlining government.
Her opponent, Democrat Sean McCarthy, served 33 years in the Nassau County Police Department and is current a Port Washington police commissioner. He says Desena and the town board have failed to improve infrastructure and brought a partisan feel to Town Hall.
New York State's 7th Senate District
The state's 7th Senate District in Nassau County is one of the mostly closely watched race in state government this year.
Democrat Rory Lancman, of Great Neck, was a Queens state assemblyman and New York City councilman.
He now serves on the Nassau University Medical Center board of directors.
Lancman says he's focused on affordability.
His opponent is two-term State Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz.
The Republican from Oyster Bay says he's proven he can get things done in Albany for public safety.
The winner will replace current State Sen. Jack Martins.
The Republican from Old Westbury is retiring.
New Voting Machines and Voting Security
When Long Islanders cast their votes this Election Day, they can expect to see new voting machines in both Nassau and Suffolk counties.
In Suffolk, when voters arrive, poll workers will verify their identity and hand them a ballot access card and they'll be able to put it in the machine like a dollar bill.
Then voters can make their selections on screen.
The machine will generate a paper version so voters can review their picks before they cast their ballot.
Nassau's machines are not touch screen but they can process larger paper ballots than before.
The state law that changed most local elections to even years means Nassau's ballot is double sided.
As for security, the Nassau and Suffolk County boards of elections insist the process is fair and secure.
Both boards are bipartisan, meaning both Republicans and Democrats share equal authority over the election process.
Once the polls close, police in both counties will take possession of the memory sticks from each polling location and deliver them safely to pre-determined upload sites which are monitored by Board of Election staffers from both major parties.
