Incumbent Rob Walker believes that the 15th A.D. represents a microcosm of New York State in that it is among the most ethnically, financially and racially diverse districts. "That, in and of itself, makes it both harder and easier. You are presented with a variety of concerns but in the end everyone is concerned about the same things - taxes, fuel costs and finding ways to stay in their homes," the assemblyman said.

If re-elected, Walker said fighting for increases in state school aid, providing property tax relief and developing alternative energy solutions at reduced costs are top on his "to-do" list. The assembly, he added, must do its fair share when it comes to providing schools with necessary aid and eliminating unfunded mandates.

"Costs are too high - prices on things have doubled and tripled and everyone realizes that. It all comes back to everything we do is costing more and we have to do something about that," he said. "At the end of the day, people have only a certain amount of money coming in and can only pay a certain amount out. That is something we all have to look into."

As a member of the Sub Committee on Renewable Energy, Walker supports alternative energy options that would not only preserve resources but also save taxpayer dollars. Increased usage of renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, said the assemblyman, would also play a role in conservation efforts so that future generations will have access to the necessary resources.

"Everyone can use less, and we need to look into ways things are done and come up with ways to use more efficient products," he said. "The day when we turn the light switch on and they don't go on is when we are all going to ask 'what can we do about it?'"

While energy tends to be a federal issue, Walker said that New York can and should take a more proactive approach. "New York State should be a leader. Why wait for the federal government to come up with a plan? Let us be the ones to do it," he said.

According to Walker, solving financial woes within the district requires everyone - the town, county, state and federal government - to come together. "We need to look at everything - from soup to nuts, top to bottom," he said. "Unless everyone comes to the table together, we are not going to be able to solve the problem. If we keep doing it by ourselves - as one entity without the other - its not going to work and we are going to fail."

Walker serves as Nassau County Chairman of the Assembly Republican Regional Forum on Autism Awareness, is vice chair of the Steering Committee, a ranking member of the Tourism, Arts & Sports Development Committee and sits on the Standing Committees on Aging, Election Law, Energy and Labor and Veterans Affairs. He serves on the Assembly's RemaiNY Young New Yorkers, Medicaid Fraud, Waste and Abuse, Safer Communities and Successful Schools task forces as well as the Joint Budget Conference Committee on Education.

Walker first garnered the 15th Assembly District seat in a special election held in May 2005. Prior, he was employed with the Oyster Bay Town Department of Parks and also as a teacher in the Syosset Central School District. Locally, he is a member of the Hicksville Knights of Columbus, Chamber of Commerce, Community Council and American Soccer Club and Football Associations as well as the National Audubon Society, Indo American Engineers Association and Vietnam Veterans of Nassau County - Chapter 82.

Walker said he prides his district office, located on Levittown Parkway in Hicksville, as a "one-stop" place for constituents to voice concerns and obtain answers to their questions. "Even if it's not a state issue, we will track down the answer. That's what works. That's what government should operate," said the assemblyman.

Walker resides in Hicksville with his wife Elizabeth. He is running on the Republican, Independence, Conservative and Working Families party lines.

Stephanie Ovadia, a resident of Long Island for over 35 years, is putting her hat in the political race for the first time and challenging Republican assemblyman Rob Walker this November.

According to her website, Ovadia is focusing her campaign on such issues as family priorities (fuel prices, affordable child care and after-school programs); affordable housing (reducing property taxes, next generation work force, first-time homebuyers initiatives and senior assistance); education (student rights, proper funding, consolidating resources for efficient and lower costs); health care (seniors, long-term care, insurance and affordable family medical benefits); and alternate energy sources (solar panels, wind energy, natural gas and fuel-efficient transportation); and the environment (protecting natural resources, safer alternative products/practices and go green initiatives). Additionally, she supports Long Island's industry, including small business initiatives and promoting job growth and diversification.

"Think global - buy local," Ovadia states on her website.

Ovadia, who for the past eight years has resided in East Meadow, told Anton Community Newspapers that her favorite aspect of the 15th Assembly District is the "variety of cultures and how they coexist to create a quality community." The candidate said she is seeking election because, throughout her 23 years as an attorney in Nassau County, she has "helped clients navigate the legal system and held their hand throughout the process and helped protect their rights." Ovadia said that, if elected to the Assembly, she would be a position to "make the legislation" she has guided clients through over the years.

Ovadia said that she is focusing her campaign on what she believes are the biggest challenges facing Long Islanders today, with the economy and how it affects Long Islanders as well as family unity and the small business community, top on her list.

"My platform addresses the issues and challenges that are confronting Long Islanders today such as family priorities, affordable housing, education, health care, alternate energy sources, the environment and small business initiatives," she said.

If elected to the New York State Assembly, Ovadia said she would look into how to "lower property taxes" and "maintain the quality of education." She added that, as an assemblymember, she would also "concentrate on keeping our young people here in Nassau County."

Ovadia graduated from SUNY Binghamton in 1979 with a bachelor of arts in political science. She also obtained a degree from Adelphi University before graduating from Southwestern University School of Law in 1984. She was admitted into the bar in 1985 and has been a practicing attorney ever since. Currently, she operates a private law practice on Hempstead Turnpike in East Meadow. On a professional level, she is a member of the New York State Bar Association, the Nassau County Women's Bar Association and the New York State Trial Lawyers Association.

Locally, she is a sponsor of East Meadow softball and baseball and a member of the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, Ovadia is involved with various nonprofit organizations, including the Make A Wish Foundation and Hospice Care Foundation as well as the Lighthouse Organization for which she volunteers.

Ovadia, a married mother with eight children and two stepchildren, is running on the Democratic party line.

Graham Long is challenging Congressman Peter T. King for his long-held seat in the 3rd Congressional District.

While Mr. Long has never held elected office, he is no neophyte to the governmental arena, beginning with his work as an intern with the White House, working for the director of the President's National Economic Council in 2002 and acting as advisory commissioner for the District of Columbia, focusing on regional planning, development and transportation infrastructure. Mr. Long stated that "After the current administration in Washington proved to be drifting away from the challenges our nation faces, I returned to Long Island and became active in local government."

He currently works as an economic development advisor and regional planning specialist for Nassau County, working "to restore the unique character of the Island that has always been the frontier of America's future." His initiatives have served to help reduce the tax burden, create senior and next-generation affordable housing in downtowns, strengthen the economy, and preserve the environment, history and character of Long Island. These county issues, said Mr. Long, also apply to more local governments.

Concern for Long Island's economic base has led Mr. Long to the realization that "We need to bring in high-tech research and development industries and to steer our economy in a new direction that is centered on 'green' industries, building a renewable energy network, and rebuilding and reworking our crumbling infrastructure." Long Island has the educated workforce to do that, Mr. Long added, but the economy must provide that workforce the affordability to live here. Affordable rental and condominium units in the downtowns, which are often near public transportation, will serve to encourage seniors and young adults to remain on Long Island and will promote greater use of trains and buses, thus reducing traffic, as well as gasoline usage, he said.

Mr. Long believes property taxes can be reduced not only through increased federal and state aid for our schools, but also through restructuring and consolidating local government to make the system more efficient.

Mr. Long said he is running as the candidate of change, and that Rep. King is "the candidate for the status quo." The fact that he has never run for, nor held, political office serves to his advantage, Mr. Long believes, because, "I'm not beholden to any special interests. We can no longer trust the politicians in Washington to fix the problems they helped create in the first place."

If elected, Mr. Long said he vows to help Long Island preserve the legacy, neighborhoods, landmarks and environmental resources "that make our Island unique and attractive" while continuing "to grow responsibly and bring more development into our downtowns, encourage clean energy industries to come to Long Island, and rebuild and enhance our [public and private] transportation network."

In regard to international affairs, Mr. Long said, "We must encourage the next president to re-deploy our combat forces in Iraq, give our troops the benefits and breaks they deserve, and increase our troop levels in Afghanistan where Al-Qaeda is regrouping." The U.S. should reduce combat forces in Iraq, he said, while continuing to work as peacekeepers, which could provide our nation with greater international support. Mr. Long said he will also seek to reverse the current trend in Washington to export our economic base, which he said, has "left us with an unstable economy and a government based on borrowing."

Mr. Long stated, ""I am thrilled and honored to have the support of Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi, State Assemblyman Charles Lavine, Presiding Officer of the Nassau County Legislature Diane Yatauro and former Town of North Hempstead Supervisor May Newburger."

At press time, Mr. Long has also received the endorsement of the Nassau Women's Democratic Caucus and the Alliance for Retired Americans.

Mr. Long is running on the Democratic and Working Families Party lines. He holds a BA in American studies, concentrating in economic development and regional planning, from George Washington University. He resides in his home city of Glen Cove.

Congressman Peter T. King is currently serving his eighth term in the U.S. House of Representatives for the 3rd Congressional District. He is ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee and serves on the Financial Services Committee. Prior to serving as Congressman, Rep. King served as a Town of Hempstead Councilman and as Nassau County Comptroller. He is a graduate of Notre Dame Law School.

According to Rep. King, the issues he finds most vital are protecting the United States from Islamic terrorism, stabilizing the economy for middle income homeowners, producing more energy and stopping illegal immigration. He is running on his "proud record of being an independent fighter and getting the job done" and, if re-elected, promises to continue working for "hardworking, middle income families" and "protecting New York and Long Island from Islamic terrorists."

Among his financial goals is the reduction of gas and oil prices. Rep. King also vows to work to help local communities sustain what he calls "the outstanding progress and redevelopment they have been making." Another fight Rep. King said he will continue is that of providing police departments with the most advanced technology.

The energy and vitality of the people are what Rep. King calls his favorite aspect of the 3rd Congressional District. He is a member of numerous civic and veterans groups and at press time has the endorsement of every major police and firefighter organization, he said.

Rep. King is running on the Republican, Independence and Conservative Party lines. A lifelong New Yorker, the congressman has lived in Seaford for 37 years. He and his wife have two adult children.