With election day less than three months away, the candidates vying to unseat incumbent Marc Herbst in the 14th assembly district have gotten their campaigns underway.

Democratic Candidate Gary Burke, and Liberal Candidate Barbara Buonagura are hoping to seize upon the frustration and outrage that voters exercised in last November's election, where the Republican Party lost control of the county legislature.

"Everything depends on which way the wind blows, with regard to how unhappy Nassau citizens are with the Republican party," said Buonagura. "There is still a backlash from what is happening to the county."

"I would like people to be optimistic and believe that we have an opportunity to win," said Burke of his campaign. "Realistically this is a very difficult race to win. The district that we are in has for as long as I can remember been Republican, but maybe that will work to our advantage this time."

Burke, a lawyer by trade, first became involved in politics and government in his early 20s where he ran an unsuccessful bid for the seat on the Town of Oyster Bay board. His political aspirations were short-lived, however, as he became disenchanted with the direction of the party. He stepped away from the world of government, deciding instead to devote his time to his practice and to his family. As a father he has been very involved in CYO, PAL, and Plainview Little League. He is also currently on the board of directors of Kids Helping Kids.

His interest in politics was rekindled several years ago when he led local opposition to the opening of an adult shop in his neighborhood. The adult shop never opened, and now, almost 20 years after first running for office, he is returning to the political arena.

He won the Democratic nomination over Buonagura, the 1998 Democratic nominee for this district, and has now forced a primary with Marc Herbst for the Independent Party nomination. According to Burke, the fight for the Independent nomination will prove difficult because Herbst has been endorsed by the party, which means only his name will appear on the ballot.

The lifelong Plainview resident stated that he is hoping his campaign will create some "positive energy," while focusing on issues that are most important to Long Islanders, such as the high cost of education and the environment. He describes himself as someone who "thinks a little bit outside the box.

"I am a person who is willing to think in a different direction and conceptualize different things," said Burke. "I will bring a new perspective to government, something that has been missing for a very long time. The problem with most politicians is that they lack this vision and they lack courage."

The person Burke beat out for the Democratic nomination, Barbara Buonagura, will be running in November on the Liberal Party ticket. Buonagura had run for the 14th assembly district seat in 1998 but was defeated by Herbst.

"This is a very tough race, being on the liberal line, but it is also name recognition. People will remember that I ran on the Democratic line last time," said Buonagura. "I am giving them an alternative, plus I do not feel there is much of a difference between the Democratic platform and the Liberal platform."

Buonagura, who admits to being disappointed when she did not gain the Democratic nomination, stated that she is running on basically the same issues as 1998. The campaign of the retired insurance broker from Hicksville will address high property taxes, overdevelopment, environmental issues, and the problems with financing healthcare.

"The district is made of hard-working middle class families...that is what I come from," said Buonagura. "I feel my finger is on the pulse of what these people want more than someone who has not been around or active in it."

According Buonagura, she will be knocking on doors over the next three months to reach out and let people know who she is. "I certainly believe this should be a grass roots type of thing."