Edward P. Ra for Assembly District 19

Edward P. Ra, 44, of Garden City South, became the Assembly's Republican minority leader in February — the first Long Islander to hold that position since Perry B. Duryea of Montauk did in the 1960s before becoming the chamber's speaker.

The Mineola-born Ra was first elected to the Assembly in 2010 after serving as a deputy town attorney for Hempstead between 2008 and 2010. In his current post, Ra not only represents his district but essentially pushes issues sometimes counter to, and sometimes in sync with, the overpowering Democratic majority. He was critical of the majority's long delay in approving a budget this year and rightly objects to policy changes being stuffed into a spending plan.

The minority Republicans pushed early on for the energy rebate checks of up to $200 that the state distributed this year. GOP legislators also had a hand in championing universal pre-K programs and taxpayer help with childcare. For several ideas, his conference members "do what they need to do to move them forward rather than worrying about ego" and getting the bigger share of credit, Ra told the editorial board.

Ra's opponent is Democrat Colleen Connaughton, 61, of Garden City. Her background differs from that of most state legislative hopefuls, having worked as a journalist and television producer for Reuters TV for more than 16 years.

She expresses particular interest in improving healthcare and housing as well as younger children's education. In Europe, she says she's seen how universal healthcare "gives peace of mind you can't imagine." Even if the United States will not provide free healthcare for all, programs can be reworked for greater public benefit, she told the editorial board. As a first-time candidate, she says a "fresh set of eyes" is needed to rethink programs.

She's not wrong. But Ra has been a common-sense legislator for years and now holds a position of leadership and influence, which benefits Long Island residents.

Newsday Opinion endorses Ra.