Jon Schuyler Brooks of Manhasset has accepted the nomination of the Democratic Party as its candidate for New York State Senate in the 7th Senate District against Senator Michael J. Balboni. Mr. Brooks, born, raised and educated in the district, was nominated by North Hempstead Councilwoman Doreen Banks, and was endorsed by North Hempstead Supervisor May Newburger, Assemblyman Thomas DiNapoli, and former Assemblyman Angelo Orazio. The seat is currently held by Republican Michael Balboni, who was appointed to the office upon the death of State Senator Michael J. Tully in August, 1997. Mr. Balboni then ran for the seat and defeated Democrat Doreen Banks in November. That race was for the remaining year of Senator Tully's term. The 1998 election will be for a full term.

Brooks is president and chief executive officer of Cirrus Resources Incorporated, a company founded in 1990 to promote democracy and free enterprise in former Communist countries by developing new business opportunities. In recognition of his pioneering work, Mr. Brooks served during the administration of President George Bush as one of only two representatives of private industry on the delegation of the United States to the International Conference on the Conversion of Military Facilities.

"Jon Brooks is a lot like Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan," Councilwoman Banks said in nominating him at the Nassau Democratic County Convention. "He is an intelligent man and a man of integrity." Brooks worked for Senator Moynihan as a legislative staff assistant. He also worked for Supervisor Newburger when she was a member of the State Assembly and chairwoman of the Legislative Commission on Water Resource Needs of Long Island.

"I am not running to oppose any man, but to propose new policies," said Mr. Brooks in his acceptance speech, quoting the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy. Mr. Brooks took exception to those who would say "that no new policies are needed, but the 'Big Issues' are behind us, that all is right with the world."

Health and public safety were among the key issues raised by Mr. Brooks. "We must start by doing two things. First, we must make patient care - not profit margins - the top priority and the bottom line of health care policy. Second, we must ban assault weapons - now." Mr. Brooks is the co-author of an American Bar Association report on the establishment of an International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Terrorists.

Brooks reaffirmed his commitment to policies which preserve the "wealth of our natural environment." An environmental lawyer and litigator, he served as chairman of the International Environmental Law Committee of the New York State Bar Association, and as a member of the Executive Committee of the NYSBA International Law and Practice Section.

Brooks also emphasized the need for campaign finance reform. Relying upon the groundbreaking example set by Senator John Kerry and former Governor William Weld in their 1996 races for the United States Senate, Brooks proposed that "the candidates for this office from other parties join me and commit to limiting voluntarily the money we spend in this campaign." Brooks' Republican opponent is incumbent Michael Balboni.

A graduate of Herricks High School and Tulane University School of Law, Brooks was named Best Advocate in the United States in the Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition, and was articles editor of The Maritime Lawyer. He received his undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and is a lifelong resident of Manhasset.

The delegates from the 7th Senate District unanimously approved Brooks as its candidate. The 7th Senate District includes Great Neck, Lake Success, Manhasset, Port Washington, Greenvale, Roslyn, Searingtown, East Hills, Manhasset Hills, North Hills, New Hyde Park, Herricks, the Willistons, Albertson, Old Westbury, Westbury, New Cassel, Hicksville, Carle Place, Mineola, Franklin Square, Floral Park, Stewart Manor, Elmont and Bellerose.

The election for State Senate will be held Nov. 3.