Josh Slaughter for Assembly District 3
Josh Slaughter (D-Shirley) is running for this Assembly seat. Credit: James Escher
Find out the candidates Newsday's editorial board has selected on your ballot: newsday.com/endorsements2026
Joseph P. DeStefano, a fixture for nearly a decade as the Assembly member for the 3rd District, is seeking reelection to a fifth term. But this time, he is facing a well-known and knowledgeable challenger in Democrat Josh P. Slaughter, a labor leader who served as chief of staff for the area's former county legislator.
DeStefano, a 66-year-old Republican from Medford, said Democrats who have controlled the Assembly for years have shut Republicans out of the governmental process to the detriment of his constituents. He said in the eight years he has been in the Capitol, Republicans have not once been able to see results of state studies into numerous government functions like healthcare costs.
“We always ask to at least have a minority member on these studies and we never get them,” he said.
But DeStefano says that more often than not, Republicans and Democrats in state government agree. “So, to me, it's all about being bipartisan,” he said. “That's where I shine in my district because people believe that I am bipartisan.”
Slaughter, however, said DeStefano's lack of results shows he isn't able to work effectively with Democrats in Albany. He faulted DeStefano for voting against a state moratorium on data centers, and for not getting more roads repaved. Slaughter also said DeStefano failed to make progress on an underpass at the Long Island Rail Road grade crossing at William Floyd Parkway, something residents have been seeking for 30 years.
“It's your job to get it on [Gov. Kathy Hochul's] radar as the state electeds and fight with the MTA to make sure these get into the capital plan,” said Slaughter, 43, of Shirley.
DeStefano, who is on the Assembly transportation and ways and means committees, said “the MTA is not listening to the people of the community,” later adding, “But we are still working. We're not going to be silent.”
Slaughter has common-sense views in line with many residents of the 3rd District, like not piercing the state tax cap and supporting school consolidation.
It's past time for DeStefano to deliver infrastructure improvements for his constituents.
Newsday Opinion endorses Slaughter.
ENDORSEMENTS ARE DETERMINED solely by the Newsday editorial board, a team of opinion journalists focused on issues of public policy and governance. Newsday’s news division has no role in this process.
