NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A red wave has been sweeping Long Island for the past two years, and Ed Romaine’s victory over Democrat Dave Calone for Suffolk County executive in Tuesday’s election has helped solidify GOP control in the area.
Between Suffolk County and Nassau County, both county executive seats, county legislatures, district attorney’s office and all four congressional seats on Long Island now belong to Republicans.
Romaine spoke with 1010 WINS/WCBS 880 about an agenda that prioritizes public safety, affordable housing and cutting taxes, particularly the energy tax on home heating oil and electricity.
“First thing we’re going to take a look at is the budget, and see what we can do to lessen the tax burden, particularly on the energy tax which I’ve talked about. The other thing is I’m going to be asking the state controller to do an audit of the Suffolk County government,” Romaine said.
Romaine, the Brookhaven Town supervisor, has been in local elected positions for 12 years and was the favorite in the race against Calone.
And victorious he was with 57.03% of the votes, according to the Suffolk County Board of Elections. This win flipped the executive seat from blue to red with Romaine taking over for Democrat Steve Bellone, who is stepping down due to term limits.
Romaine also discussed big ticket issues like the environment, especially in an area where most houses have septic systems that leak and pollute.
“We’re going to sit down and come up with a plan to provide clean water and try to extend sewers to all the areas that need it,” Romaine stated.
Upon being sworn in on Jan. 1, Romaine is tasked with rebuilding the county IT system that is still struggling after a cyberattack 14 months ago, and hiring a new Suffolk County Police Commissioner after Rodney Harrison announced he was stepping down from the position.