State Assemblymember Charles Lavine (D-Glen Cove) endorsed Nassau County Legislator Siela Bynoe (D-Westbury) in the 4th Congressional District race on Friday.
Lavine touted Bynoe’s advocacy as a legislator and her roles in various housing departments, saying residents “need fighters who won’t back down” and that she is the ideal candidate to represent the 4th Congressional District.
“Siela has been a strong advocate for better housing, education, and healthcare, and has the lived and professional experience to understand the needs of her constituents,” Lavine said in a press release Friday. “She’s been a highly successful legislator who has delivered for her community and I have no doubt that she’ll continue to deliver for Long Island in Congress.”
The 4th Congressional District comprises central and southern Nassau County, including Floral Park, Garden City, Hempstead, Mineola, Carle Place, New Hyde Park and Westbury. Under newly drawn redistricting maps, it also takes in the villages of East Williston, Williston Park, Lake Success and some unincorporated parts of the Town of North Hempstead.
Bynoe was elected to the Legislature in February 2014 following a special election. A 40-year resident of Nassau County, Bynoe graduated from Westbury High School and received degrees from Nassau Community College, Hofstra University and C.W. Post, Long Island University.
Bynoe has served as a trustee on the Westbury Board of Education and in various housing organizations, including the Long Island Housing Partnership, the Huntington Housing Authority and the North Hempstead Housing Authority.
“I am thrilled to have Assemblyman Lavine’s endorsement. His extensive record in public service is exemplary and we share the passion to make New York an even better place for all to live,” Bynoe said. “Housing and education are among our top priorities and I will use my experience in addressing housing challenges and as a twice-elected school board member to guide Congress towards much-needed changes.”
The Democratic legislator announced her candidacy less than a week after U.S. Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-Garden City) said she would not run for re-election.
Rice, who was first elected to Congress in 2014 and is in the midst of her fourth term, said in a tweet that elected officials “must give all we have and then know when it is time to allow others to serve.”
“Though I will not be running for re-election to Congress this year, I will remain focused on protecting our democracy and serving my constituents throughout the rest of my term,” Rice continued.
With Rice deciding not to run for re-election, she becomes the 30th Democratic member of Congress to bow out of the fall elections, including U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove), who represents the 3rd Congressional District on the North Shore and is running for governor.
Bynoe is running against a crowded Democratic field ahead of the June 28 Primary elections, one that includes fellow Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages (D-Lawrence), former Hempstead Supervisor Laura Gillen and Malverne Mayor Keith Corbett.
Last week, Rice endorsed Gillen to fill her seat, saying the former supervisor “ has already proven her political tenacity with a strong record of getting things done.”
State and Nassau Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs previously said he expects either Bynoe or Corbett to win the election.
