The 63-year-old Sea Cliff resident, a Republican, is challenging incumbent Democrat Delia DeRiggi-Whitton in the 11th Legislative District.

John Canning hopes to return to County Legislature

A practicing attorney since 1991, Canning earned a law degree from St. John’s University, a master’s in European history and an undergraduate degree in classical languages from the University of Toronto.

Canning has been involved with countless community initiatives, from emceeing local events like the Sea Cliff baseball and softball Opening Day ceremonies to serving on the boards of organizations like the Visiting Nurse Association of Oyster Bay and Raynham Hall Museum. He is also a lector at St. Boniface Martyr Parish, where he has volunteered since his youth.

Sea Cliff residents join North Shore Soup Kitchen board

John Canning lives in Sea Cliff. He earned an undergraduate degree in classical languages and a master's degree in European history from the University of Toronto, and a law degree from St. John’s University. He is a lector at St. Boniface Martyr Parish, where he has volunteered since his youth.

#### Commissioner John Canning
(516) 624-6425
jcanning@oysterbay-ny.gov

Human Resources – Town of Oyster Bay

John Canning is a commissioner with the Town of Oyster Bay. He is a practicing attorney.

Canning was elected in 1995 to the county’s inaugural Legislature, and served two terms representing a North Shore district that included Glen Cove, Sea Cliff and communities farther east.

John Canning was elected to the Nassau County Legislature in 1995 and served two terms representing a North Shore district.

2026 New York General Election

Expanding on the topic of affordability, he praised recent county property tax freezes and said he would work to prevent increases. “People are under tremendous strain,” Canning said, noting that school taxes and household expenses also weigh on residents.

Turning to the county budget, Canning emphasized controlling expenditures and scrutinizing staffing costs. He currently serves as the Town of Oyster Bay’s human resources commissioner, a position he has held for roughly 15 years.

Plans to prevent county property-tax increases.

Prioritizes controlling county expenditures and scrutinizing staffing costs.

- Plans to prevent county property-tax increases.
- Prioritizes controlling county expenditures and scrutinizing staffing costs.

Economy

As of October 26, 2026, John Canning did not have a website or any information online.

Public Services

Development is another of his concerns. Canning pointed to potential housing projects at the North Shore and Engineers country clubs, warning that additional traffic could strain busy roads. “We have to limit those developments so that we’re not overwhelmed,” he said.

Supports limiting large housing developments to prevent additional traffic from overwhelming local roads.

- Supports limiting large housing developments to prevent additional traffic from overwhelming local roads.

Housing & Urban Development

On immigration enforcement, he said that authorities should focus on people who have been convicted of crimes while remaining sensitive to longtime residents and families. He did not advocate broader enforcement in communities where people are simply going about their daily lives.

Supports focusing immigration enforcement on people convicted of crimes while avoiding broader enforcement against people going about their daily lives.

- Supports focusing immigration enforcement on people convicted of crimes while avoiding broader enforcement against people going about their daily lives.

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

John Canning is campaigning on opposition to an energy project. He argued that construction along major North Shore roads that the project would require would disrupt daily life for residents and businesses. He expressed concerns about traffic through Glen Head, Glenwood Landing and neighboring communities, as well as potential environmental impacts on Hempstead Harbor. “It would cause havoc on the roads,” he said.

Canning also questioned the project’s energy sources and necessity, describing it as a “cable to nowhere.”

Opposes an energy project he calls a “cable to nowhere,” citing potential road disruption and environmental impacts.

- Opposes an energy project he calls a “cable to nowhere,” citing potential road disruption and environmental impacts.

Energy & the Environment

John Canning

As of October 26, 2026, John Canning’s website did not contain information on this issue.