Democratic Incumbent Rebecca Kassay Is Seeking Re-Election To Her Assembly Seat This Election Day

PORT JEFFERSON, NY — Incumbent Democratic assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay is seeking another term in office this Election Day.

Here is what she told Patch in her election questionnaire:

Name: Rebecca Kassay

How old will you be as of Election Day?: 37

Does your campaign have a website?: kassayforassembly.com

What city or town do you live in?: Port Jefferson

What office are you seeking?: NY State Assembly

If you are running in a district, you can specify the district here: District 4

Party affiliation: Democrat

Education: SUNY New Paltz, degree in Environmental Studies and Communications.

What is your occupation?: NYS Assemblywoman; previous: Bed and Breakfast 0wner; environmental educator.

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them: My husband and I bought our Port Jefferson home in 2013 and opened The Fox and Owl Inn B&B. My parents still live in St. James, where I grew up.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?: No, my father recently retired from a career with IBEW Local 25, my mother facilitates estate sales, and my husband is an architect.

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?: Yes, Port Jefferson Village Trustee (2020 - 2024), Port Jefferson Village Deputy Mayor (2023 - 2024), NYS Assembly (2024 - Present)

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running for election and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?: I am running for re-election because I am deeply committed to representing the voices, needs, and concerns of my fellow Long Islanders, always putting people over politics.

Throughout my time in office, I have seen firsthand the impact that effective, responsive government can have on people’s lives, and I know how important it is to have representatives who bring practical, local experience to the decision-making process in Albany. Returning to Albany, I will continue to pass legislation and secure funding that makes our communities safer, healthier, and more affordable.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing constituents is: Affordability.

What needs to be done to address water quality issues on LI?: One of my proudest accomplishments of the 2025 session was introducing and passing legislation to deliver $30 million for grants to homeowners who install I/A septic systems, with $20 million of that allocated for Suffolk County. By speaking about this bill with my constituents, I’ve been able to further educate them about their abilities to protect our water, and help them save money on this major home repair.

I was also very proud to vote ‘yes’ on New York’s data center moratorium. We need to be sure that water is protected throughout New York State, but especially here on Long Island, with our aquifer serving as our sole source of drinking water, and $8 billion of our economy relying on clean waterways.

Returning to Albany, I will continue to advocate for legislation that removes PFAS and similar “forever chemical” compounds from cookware, dental floss, and other everyday items that leach dangerous chemicals into our bodies and our water.

I am also working with a local coalition of environmental organizations, golf course superintendents, and government officials to secure funding and update regulations that will allow for reuse of extra-treated effluent from treatment plants to be reused on golf courses. This would eliminate large volumes of nitrogen from being discharged into our waterways, and prevent 10s of millions of gallons of water from our aquifer from being used on greens.

What do you think can be done to help improve our infrastructure, highways, etc.?: Reliable and accessible transportation is essential to keeping our communities connected and making it easier for New Yorkers to get to work, school, appointments, and wherever else they need to go, especially here on Long Island. I have been working to make transportation smoother, safer, faster, and more accessible for drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, those taking public transportation, and people with disabilities. I join my fellow Long Island representatives in fiercely advocating for more funding to repave and redesign our roadways, improve public transit, and build more sidewalks. We’ve made steps in the right direction, but will continue fighting for the money we need to maintain local roads.

Earlier this year, I passed legislation to preserve the Setauket-Port Jefferson Station Greenway Trail, and in doing so, resolved a longstanding land-use conflict involving the corridor. This cleared the way for the MTA to purchase 46 acres of the former Lawrence Aviation property for $10, which was the next step necessary to modernize and electrify the Port Jefferson LIRR line. My work alongside the community brings Long Island one step closer to a one-seat ride for residents and visitors, while supporting better air quality for our neighbors.

I also helped to expand the MTA’s family fare policy for children ages 12 to 17, helping families save on the cost of public transportation. I will continue advancing policies that make public transit more affordable and attractive to Long Islanders so that they can get where they need to go without breaking the bank, and we can experience some relief from traffic congestion.

As planning continues for the Route 347/Nicolls Road bridge, I am working to ensure that neighborhood voices are taken into account and that this major local infrastructure improvement not only decreases travel times for drivers in the district, but also includes planning elements to safely and effectively serve pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, and emergency vehicles.

I will continue advocating for accessible bike and pedestrian lanes and working to make transportation safer and more accountable, such as introducing legislation A10955 to create an interactive online portal where residents can report and track potholes and other highway defects. I am also prioritizing efforts to address the condition of our state roads, advocating for timely maintenance and repairs to improve road quality, enhance safety, and ensure that Long Islanders can travel on reliable, well-maintained roadways.

How would you plan to help local business owners, who are struggling because of high rents, inflation, and labor shortages?: Small businesses are the backbone of our local communities, and supporting them means helping reduce the costs and barriers that make it difficult for them to start and grow. From my positions on the Assembly’s Small Business and Economic Development Committees, I worked to secure $8 billion to pay down New York’s unemployment insurance debt, providing cost relief for small businesses and helping prevent further increases in unemployment insurance costs. I also helped secure a reduction in the MTA Payroll Mobility Tax for roughly 10,000 local small businesses.

It’s an honor to attend local ribbon-cutting events for new businesses, sharing state resources with owners, and listening to their concerns. As a small business owner of ten years– running a bed-and-breakfast with my husband – I know how challenging it is to open and run a business in our district, but also how rewarding it is and how these businesses make our communities special.

I will continue working to support our local businesses and small business owners as they work around the clock to deliver unique services and products for our neighbors. I look for every opportunity to eliminate bureaucratic red tape and work with town and county representatives to ensure the time it takes and costs of opening and running a business are kept to a minimum.

How are federal issues impacting local government?: Federal decisions have a direct impact on local governments and the services that residents rely on every day. When the federal government cuts funding for programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, and services for our veterans, New York State is often left to step in and help close the gaps to ensure that individuals and families can continue accessing essential services and benefits. These funding shortfalls can place additional financial pressure on state and local budgets and make it more challenging to meet the needs of our communities, and have often left individuals without the services and coverage they need and deserve.

Federal decisions also affect local transportation and infrastructure. For example, the federal government did not continue the Cleanpass program in the HOV lane of the Long Island Expressway. Previously, this lane could be used by drivers who have electric and hybrid vehicles in addition to individuals who carpooled to work. Many drivers invested in hybrid and electric vehicles to utilize this lane, which directly diverted traffic and reduced commutes. Since its discontinuation, traffic has increased and morning and evening commutes have become even longer. Similarly, the cancellation and suspension of federal support for green energy projects slow our state’s progress toward cleaner energy, limit investment opportunities, and affect efforts to build a more sustainable future.

I will continue working with state and local leaders to address funding gaps, protect access to critical services, advocate for reliable transportation infrastructure, and support responsible energy initiatives that benefit Long Island residents.

What is your stance on how ICE enforcement has impacted local communities?: Dangerous criminals need to be removed from our communities, regardless of their citizenship or immigration status. It is evident that ICE enforcement is not distinguishing dangerous criminals from hardworking community members. I share the concerns of my neighbors across Suffolk County regarding the actions of ICE agents in New York and throughout the country. As a New York State representative, I believe everyone deserves to feel safe and be safe in their community, and that immigration enforcement must be conducted lawfully, humanely, and with accountability.

To that end, I supported the Local Cops, Local Crimes provision in the recent New York State budget, which keeps local law enforcement resources focused on community safety and limits cooperation with federal immigration enforcement to cases involving criminal charges or investigations, rather than solely civil immigration or status violations.

I also supported the MELT Act, which prohibits officers from wearing face coverings while carrying out duties. I support protections for sensitive locations, including schools and houses of worship.

Earlier this year, I also spoke out against the unlawful actions of immigration enforcement officers and the inhumane conditions reported at the Central Islip Detention Center. In my public statement, I highlighted serious allegations outlined in court filings, including violations of court orders, the submission of false information, due process violations, and unsafe detention conditions. I called for immediate accountability and action, emphasizing that our government must uphold the rule of law and protect the fundamental rights and dignity of every person.

I remain in contact with my colleagues at both the state and federal levels, and will continue working to protect vulnerable members of our communities and ensure that public safety, accountability, and basic human rights remain priorities.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidate seeking this post? As has been my practice for over 15 years of service in this community, I lead by bringing people together, listening to different perspectives, and finding common ground to get things done. I have seen my opponent focus on divisive narratives rather than on the issues that matter most to our community. When I serve in Albany, I represent every resident, regardless of their political party, personal beliefs, or background. I believe that effective leadership means putting people ahead of politics, being willing to listen even when we disagree, and working collaboratively to find meaningful solutions. Our community is strongest when we focus on what unites us rather than what divides us, and build respectful relationships to civilly discuss issues where we differ. I will continue to lead with respect, integrity, and a commitment to serving all residents, because everyone deserves a voice and a representative, who is focused on delivering progress for our shared communities.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?: Throughout my service, I have been working to make Suffolk County safer, healthier, and more affordable. I’ve taken steps to address safety issues around e-bikes and behavioral health. I will prioritize removing PFAS “forever chemicals” from our drinking water and everyday products. And I am working to diversify the housing market by creating state incentives for apartments, condos, or townhouses to be offered for sale instead of for rent.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?: I have spent the last two years as your assemblywoman working to deeply understand the unique needs and goals of each community in my district so that I can deliver funding and legislation that’ll help us all thrive.

In my first term, I helped to: lower middle-class income tax rates to their lowest since the 1950s; expand access to child care, pre-K, and free school meals; provide utility relief for working families; and address public safety concerns from e-bikes and illegal cannabis sales to hate crimes and auto insurance fraud.

I helped overcome a years-long obstacle standing in the way of furthering the electrification of the Port Jefferson LIRR line, and I look forward to successfully taking the next step in that project with strong advocacy next year.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?: I welcome all interested residents to visit the issues page on my website to learn more about my position on issues. Additionally, I invite you to visit a page on my website dedicated to what I have been able to deliver to each of the communities in Assembly District 4.

What is the best advice anyone has ever given you and why?: “Take the work very seriously, but don’t take yourself too seriously.” I am a fierce fighter for my district, and the funding and legislation I delivered in my first term proves that. But it’s important to stay humble, practice good humor, and find joy in the work.