Viviana L. Russell for Nassau Legislative District 2
Nassau County Legis. Viviana L. Russell (D-Westbury) is running for reelection. Credit: Dawn McCormick
Find out the candidates Newsday's editorial board has selected on your ballot: newsday.com/endorsements2026
The 2nd District includes Carle Place, Westbury, New Cassel and parts of Hempstead, Uniondale and Hicksville.
Viviana L. Russell, the Democratic incumbent from Westbury, spent her first year as a county lawmaker focusing on infrastructure shortfalls and housing needs in her district. The former North Hempstead Town board member worked for funding to replace aging equipment at the Westbury Memorial Public Library, infrastructure improvements in the Westbury and Carle Place school districts, and upgrades to community centers.
Russell, 54, questions why the legislature hasn’t done more to make housing more affordable by supporting and maintaining efforts like the now-closed first-time homebuyers initiative, which was run by the Long Island Housing Partnership but funded by the county. Russell has urged an audit of all aging county infrastructure to have Nassau be "proactive, not reactive" in handling sewer lines, roadways and drainage systems. Her district includes the Nassau Hub, where there has been no movement by the county since the casino plan evaporated. Russell should take the initiative to work with the community on developing what she calls a "visioning" for the land surrounding Nassau Coliseum.
Republican Lamont E. Johnson, 54, from Hempstead, a perennial candidate the party nominates in mostly unwinnable races, is the challenger. The retired police officer and active Hempstead school board member did not meet with the editorial board.
Newsday Opinion endorses Russell.
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.
