Senator Kemp Hannon, the Republican incumbent in the 6th Senatorial District race, is seeking his eighth term in the state Senate. Hannon, who was first elected to the Senate in 1989, said that the last several years in office have been both rewarding and challenging. He noted that one of the biggest issues facing New Yorkers is the economy - in terms of what it means for job creation, job retention, revenue structure and education. As chairman of the Senate Health Committee, Hannon cited healthcare as another of the important issues facing residents today.

"It's been a challenging time. I came into office during a recession, then about midway through I had a chance to become the chair of the Health Committee which meant I had a chance to deal with both the substance in regard to health and the financial makeup of the state's health system. It's a challenging committee. It deals with, on the general funds budget, about a third of the state's expenditures and it continues to be a challenge because all of the things we've done need to be re-examined. As health care and the population change every year, there needs to be change every year," Hannon said. "We've had real success in reinvigorating the finances of the health care system. The challenges will be healthcare for the elderly, both in terms of quality, where it's delivered and then the healthcare would be not just acute care for quick major problems but rather the more chronic problems that arise, and what we do with rehabilitation, nursing home and assisted living."

The senator noted some of his proudest accomplishments as being the continued aid he's been able to secure for local school districts; the STAR Program, which helps hold down real property taxes for all residents, especially senior citizens and the college tuition deduction from state income tax.

"This year 50 percent of college tuition will be deductible from the state income tax," he said. Other accomplishments the senator noted are "the state's EPIC drug program, where those over 65 can receive assistance for their pharmaceutical drugs; and then the drive that we've had to invigorate and reinvigorate the economy on Long Island through tax cuts as well as through our sustained program for technology and biotechnology industries."

If re-elected, Hannon said the things he would continue to work on are the three goals he has for medical patients - that they have better access, affordability and outcomes.

"It will be difficult because medical costs have been rising, double digit inflation for each of the last five years," he said. "We also have to steer the economy, making sure that, with the difficulties ahead for the state budget, that we don't do away with the good that we've accomplished the past few years making New York attractive to business," he added. "The biggest challenge will be also, in regard to education, making sure that the schools have the means to deliver quality education to each of the children and keep up with the new Regents standards and tests."

When asked why he's the best candidate for the position, Hannon said, "I'm enthusiastic about meeting the challenges, I think I have the experience, the intelligence to deal with difficult problems and I have a way of being able to analyze those problems so that the needs of the constituents are met."

Hannon is an alumni of Chaminade High School, Boston College and Fordham Law School. In addition to the Republican party line, he is also running on the Independent and Conservative party lines. A lifetime resident of Nassau County, the senator resides in Garden City with his wife Bronwyn and their twin daughters, Alexandra and Madeleine.

The 6th Senatorial District, which was minimally affected by the recent redistricting throughout the state, covers communities such as East Meadow, Farmingdale, Garden City, Levittown, Massapequa and Plainview.