Republican Will Sussman Challenges Democrat Rebecca Kassay In 4th Assembly District

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Political newcomer Will Sussman, a Republican, is challenging freshman state Assemb. Rebecca Kassay, a Democrat, in her bid for re-election on Nov. 3 in the 4th Assembly District.

The district includes Port Jefferson, Port Jefferson Station, Stony Brook, Setauket, Terryville, Belle Terre, Strongs Neck, Poquott, and parts of Coram, Selden, and Gordon Heights.

Patch has reached out to Kassay's campaign team.

This is what Sussman had to say in his Patch election questionnaire:

Name: Will Sussman

How old will you be as of Election Day?: 27

Does your campaign have a website?: sussman4ny.com

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

What office are you seeking?: New York State Assembly

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

Party affiliation: Republican (also on Conservative line)

Education: B.S. from Yale, M.S. from MIT, both in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

What is your occupation?: Adjunct Professor of Computer Science

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them:

My mother is a small business owner and served as president of the Stony Brook University Alumni Association. My father is the medical director for the Three Village Central School District.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?: No.

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?: No.

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'm running to make Long Island a place where families can afford to buy a home, and afford to keep it.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing constituents is: The cost of living.

What needs to be done to address water quality issues on LI?:

Suffolk County has 360,000 septic tanks that are leaking into our sole-source aquifer. Sewers are the best way to address this problem, and I want to bring more money back from Albany to pay for it.

What do you think can be done to help improve our infrastructure, highways, etc.?: While New York City got $8 billion in new state aid, Long Island got left behind. I will vote 'no' on any budget that does not give us our fair share for roads and infrastructure.

How would you plan to help local business owners, who are struggling because of high rents, inflation and labor shortages?: As the son of a small business owner, I've seen how hard it is to do business here in New York State. I would cut taxes and repeal unnecessary regulations.

How are federal issues impacting local government?: The federal SALT deduction helps offset local property taxes.

What is your stance on how ICE enforcement has impacted local communities?: New York State has overreacted by making it illegal for our law enforcement agencies to cooperate with each other. That makes us less safe.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidate seeking this post?: I'm not a career politician. When my opponent was a village trustee, she voted to raise property taxes and pierce the property tax cap. In the Assembly, she voted to roll back our environmental protections and consistently rubber-stamps bloated budgets. I will fight to lower property taxes, protect our environment, and stop the runaway spending.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?: I want to follow the example of Massachusetts and create a Special Commission on Combatting Antisemitism.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?: I have testified before Congress, and I serve as president of a New York nonprofit that works with both sides of the aisle in Albany.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?: I'm an engineer by training, which means I'm a problem solver. That's the spirit I will take to Albany.

What is the best advice anyone has ever given you and why?: Do what you would most regret not doing. This has guided my biggest decisions in life.