VOTE 2026: Nassau Legislature's 9th District race could play pivotal role in battle for majority
Republican incumbent Scott Strauss and Democrat Juleigh Chin face off again in a key battleground district as control of the Nassau County Legislature hangs in the balance
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For the second year in a row, control of the Nassau County Legislature is on the line.
Democrats need to flip two seats to wrest control away from Republicans, who have maintained a majority in the legislature for more than 15 years. Republicans currently hold an 11-8 advantage.
The stakes may be even higher this year. If Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman defeats Gov. Kathy Hochul in the race for governor, the Nassau County Legislature would be responsible for selecting a temporary county executive to serve until a special election is held.
One of the GOP lawmakers seeking re-election is incumbent Republican Scott Strauss, the former mayor of Mineola, who represents the Legislature's 9th District.
"It's about safety. It's about security. It's about affordability, and I'm on the right side of those issues," Strauss said.
The 9th District was redrawn last year and now includes many of the hamlets and villages situated along the Long Island Expressway, Northern State Parkway and Jericho Turnpike corridor, stretching from New Hyde Park to Mineola.
The district also has a unique demographic makeup. Nassau County designates it as an Asian influence district, with roughly one-third of voters being of Asian descent.
Herricks School Board Trustee Juleigh Chin is challenging Strauss and says her election would make history.
"The county legislature in Nassau County and even in Suffolk County has never seen an Asian person elected. So I would be the first," Chin said.
Chin argues that the district's interests are often overlooked at the county level and points to the condition of the public pool at Christopher Morley Park as an example.
"It's falling apart. It's decaying. My opponent called it the 'crown jewel' of Nassau County. And that crown jewel is falling apart," Chin said.
Strauss acknowledged the facility's condition but said efforts are underway to address it.
"It is a crown jewel in Nassau County, and it has fallen into disrepair. But we've certainly made some headway on it. It's in the capital plan for this year, to get rejuvenated. We were supposed to open up the pool, but at the last minute, the vendor backed out. So some things were out of our control, but it is in the capital plan to get rejuvenated. And I can't wait for it to start happening," Strauss said.
Strauss defeated Chin a year ago, but a win for the Democrat this year would bring Democrats within one seat of taking control of the legislature.
"Much like what's happening on a national level here, right here in Nassau County, there are no checks and balances, right? The legislature just falls into line as to whatever the agenda is. We need more representation so that we can bring, a balanced conversation to the table," Chin said.
Strauss, meanwhile, contends that Republican control of county government serves as a form of checks and balances against policies enacted by Democrats in neighboring Queens.
"We want to put up that border, and we want to hold that line. They keep whatever goes on in New York City on that side of the line, and we're going to take care of our own constituents and our own residents and our friends and our neighbors right here," Strauss said.
