Rebecca A. Kassay for Assembly District 4

Rebecca A. Kassay is completing her first term in the Assembly, but the Port Jefferson Democrat already has made her mark.

For the last two years, Kassay, 37, didn't give up on the notion of transferring part of the former Lawrence Aviation Industries property to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, paving the way for a future rail yard, a new Long Island Rail Road station and, perhaps, the electrification of the Port Jefferson Branch.

It wasn't easy. But Kassay kept writing and rewriting legislation, meeting with stakeholders, and using her bully pulpit until the deal finally closed last month, opening doors for future transit improvements and preserving the important Setauket-Port Jefferson Station Greenway. Now she's ready to start conversations and studies to determine "what a modernized rail yard would look like," and to plan for moving the station and work toward a one-seat ride to Manhattan.

Kassay, who calls herself a "nerd," speaks with nuance on economic issues, including the state tax cap. She noted that taxpayers "are at their cap right now," and pointed to the need for municipalities to find other ways to reduce costs. She suggests incentivizing communities that welcome owner-occupied, multifamily housing for both younger adults and seniors, and points to the communities that are "last on the [county] list" of those slated to receive sewer funding — neighborhoods like Coram which, she says, she's committed to revitalizing.

Her opponent, Port Jefferson Republican Will Sussman, offers a simplistic answer to the struggle between suburban needs and those of New York City, saying, "That's to vote no on the budgets" that contain extra city funds. Sussman, 27, a math teacher, advocates for the state to cap its spending just like it caps tax increases for local governments unless the community approves an override. He rightly highlights concerns about antisemitism, which was his impetus to seek office, but his answer to create a commission to combat it is unlikely make a difference. Sussman is quick to offer critiques of past legislation, but undercuts his arguments by not having a firm grasp on the details.

With the Lawrence Aviation deal done, Kassay has the opportunity to build on what she started, while tackling other needs of the district and region.

Newsday Opinion endorses Kassay.