Valerie Cartright, a Democrat and Brookhaven Town councilwoman, is the fourth candidate to enter the race for the New York State Senate seat now held by Senator Kenneth P. LaValle.
Ms. Cartright, of Port Jefferson Station, was first elected to the Brookhaven Town Board in 2013 and is that municipality’s only Democratic board member. She is a senior attorney with the Law Offices of Frederick K. Brewington, a well-known civil rights practice, and is an adjunct professor at St. Joseph’s College.
“My experience as an attorney, town elected official, and constant advocate for community involvement in government uniquely positions me to effectively deliver for the residents of the first senatorial district,” Ms. Cartright said in a statement. “I am excited and energized by the opportunity to continue to serve my neighbors and the communities of eastern Long Island.”
She joined the race on Tuesday, just days after Mr. LaValle, 81, announced his retirement after about 44 years in office and many re-election campaigns under his belt. Also seeking the Democratic nomination for the seat are Tommy John Schiavoni, a Southampton Town councilman from North Haven, Laura Ahearn, an attorney and social worker from Port Jefferson who is the executive director of the Crime Victims Center/Parents for Megan’s Law, and Skyler Johnson, a college student from Mount Sinai who has worked on political campaigns.
Ms. Cartright said in a statement that she has “a steadfast commitment to working across party lines, strengthening relationships between community and government, and bringing a wide range of stakeholders together to develop innovative solutions to challenging and complex problems.”
She has already garnered endorsements from several current and former elected officials within the First Senate District, including Port Jefferson Mayor Margot Garant, who described her as a tenacious and skilled leader. “I believe she can and will represent our district in a professional, diplomatic, and ethical manner to bring important state resources home to improve our roads and our major transportation systems while protecting our environment, our children, and our seniors,” Ms. Garant said.
DuWayne Gregory, the immediate past presiding officer of the Suffolk County Legislature and a new member of the Babylon Town Board, also endorsed Ms. Cartright. “Valerie is passionate and dedicated to improving the quality of life in her community. Her background in civil rights is admirable and telling of her passion for advocacy,” Mr. Gregory said.
Republican committees on the county and local levels are still screening candidates, according to Kyle Vorpahl, the secretary of the East Hampton Town Republican Committee.
In other campaign news, Ms. Ahearn said she reported more than $130,000 in fund-raising by the first filing deadline since she announced her candidacy. She has also picked up several new endorsements, including from three current and former Suffolk County legislators and a number of trade unions.
“Laura Ahearn is connecting with voters, and these tremendous fund-raising numbers show it,” Brette McSweeney, president of Eleanor’s Legacy, a group that supports and funds women Democrats as candidates for office, said in a statement. “Laura has always been a fighter for the children and the most vulnerable in Suffolk County, and [she] is now in a terrific position to continue fighting for Long Island families in the State Senate.”