Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, from Mineola, was first elected to office in 1996, to enact stricter gun laws after her husband Dennis was shot and killed and her son Kevin injured in what was known as the Long Island Rail Road Massacre.

She was the first woman elected to Congress from Long Island and serves on the Financial Services Committee as well as being the senior member of the Committee on Education and Labor and has been named chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities. In that capacity she will be drafting legislation to protect Long Island's children and in general improving the 4th Congressional District, which she represents. In interviewing her recently and addressing the problem of the economy she said, "We did start hearings on Fanny Mae and Freddy Mac. We looked at the predatory lending and we looked at the mortgage brokers that were not licensed and at who were making boutique loans and we were able, through bipartisan support, out of committee, to pass a lot of rules and regulations. Years ago when you bought a house the bankers did due diligence to make sure we could afford the mortgage, the taxes and the insurance. So here the brokers were making loans without all that.

"But as the housing market started to boom, everybody wanted a piece of the action. Going back to 2005 we passed legislation and if it had been put in place, a lot of this would not have been going on, but the Republican leadership would not allow it on the floor for a vote and so it died outside of our committee.

"Further, something I'm surprised that hasn't come out, is they had the tools to correct all of this, passed in 1994 and Secretary Paulson just started using those tools in July and August. Do I believe we will recover from all this, yes, but I do believe that it will be extremely painful."

McCarthy continued, "We passed the Higher Education Act and we are cutting student interest loans for those who want to go to college and by 2011 the student loans will be forgiven by half and that will help a lot of families. As far as a nation we know that the investment has to be in education because you cannot compete in the global economy without well-educated children."

She went on to say that she was able to get her free-standing bills passed to help the severe nursing shortage.

Further, she was also able to enact noise control language on the Long Island Rail Road in a Transportation Bill. When asked about the third track she said, "We didn't have enough information on what the plans were going to be. You have to understand that on the federal level we give out block grants and that chunk of money goes to the state and the state actually makes the decision where that money will go. That's why the LIRR pulled back on the project, because they didn't have enough money. I personally think it is totally unfair that the corridor I represent will be making the most sacrifices and I voiced that. I care very much what happens to my constituents."

She said she has been able to bring millions of dollars to Cold Spring Harbor to help in their research for a cure for breast cancer.

Regarding energy conservation she said, "Everything has to be on the table and the reason I voted against drilling in Alaska, as my opponent has stated, it was only in ANWR. The Energy Bill we passed will allow drilling from 50 to 100 miles out but we have to look at coal, wind power and all alternatives."

She believes in Universal Health Care. She added, "I still don't know why Congress couldn't pass a child's health care bill. I find that mind-boggling. At least, let's take care of our children."

McCarthy has one son, Kevin, a daughter-in-law Leslie and two grandchildren Denis and Grace.

On the ballot, she is on the Democratic, Independence Party and the Working Families Party lines.