BIOGRAPHY
Democrat state Sen. Anna Kaplan (D-North Hills) is running for re-election to represent the state’s 7th Senate District. She is running on the Democratic and Working Families Party lines.
Kaplan, an Iranian immigrant whose parents sent her to the United States for her safety, was an active member of the Great Neck community before her time in government. She served a four-year term on the Great Neck Library Board and volunteered at her children’s schools.
Kaplan was elected to serve the Town of North Hempstead’s 4th District as a councilwoman in 2011. In 2016, she sought election to the House of Representatives but lost to current Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) in the Democratic primary. Kaplan defeated former Flower Hill Mayor Elaine Phillips in 2018 to represent the 7th Senate District.
In her first term as senator, Kaplan brought back funding for local public schools in Nassau County, passed a permanent cap on property taxes, helped pass landmark legislation protecting the rights of women, LGBTQ+ New Yorkers, and voters, and passed some of the nation’s strongest protections against senseless gun violence.
THE ISSUES
Kaplan said she supports the Equality Rights Amendment, which needs to pass two consecutive sessions of the state legislature before New Yorkers vote on making it an amendment to the state constitution in 2024.
She said she strongly supports abortion protections.
On the subject of bail reform, the incumbent said she had issues with the changes made, which were included in the 2020 budget. She said she voted for the budget because of the importance of the overall package but was open to changes in bail reform laws in the future.
She also touted her support for law enforcement, providing $500 million in grants to various organizations including district attorneys and sheriff’s offices during her tenure.
Standing up for hate crimes is something the Democrat said she will unapologetically continue to do, being a vocal advocate of Israel and condemning those who perpetuate and publicize stereotypes in the form of graffiti or hate mail. She has co-sponsored legislation to promote Holocaust education throughout New York’s schools and other bills aimed at combatting hate crimes throughout the state.
Supporting local businesses and various economic development projects, she said, has resulted in more jobs being made available to the public during her time in office, but said more can always be done.
THE DISTRICT
The state’s 7th Senate District includes Floral Park, New Hyde Park, Williston Park, Mineola, Garden City Park, North Hills, Albertson, Old Westbury, East Hills, Roslyn, Roslyn Harbor, Roslyn Estates, Albertson, Searingtown, Lake Success, Manhasset, Munsey Park, Plandome, Plandome Heights, Plandome Manor, and the Great Neck and Port Washington peninsulas.
