2026 New York General Election

BIOGRAPHY
David Smith has lived in Wantagh for more than 25 years and describes himself as a husband, father and community advocate who has worked with students, educators, employees and families, per his campaign site.

David Louis Boldt Smith

Later, as a jail guard, he worked with law enforcement and young inmates, and occasionally testified in court. Smith also worked as a New York City Teaching Fellow, teaching third and fifth grades, earned a master’s degree in education and eventually moved into school administration. He later became president of a nursing school.

Seaford Herald 09-24-2026

David Louis Boldt Smith earned a master's degree in education. He has lived in Wantagh for more than 25 years and describes himself as a husband and father.

David Louis Boldt Smith 2026: Nassau County Legislature, District 15

David Louis Boldt Smith earned a master's degree in education. He is a husband and father.

David Louis Boldt Smith has had more careers than most political candidates can fit on a resume. He has been a pastor, a teacher, an educator, a nursing school administrator, a jail guard, a restaurant maître d’, a bar owner and an actor. Now Smith wants to add Nassau County legislator to the list.

Election 2026

Smith also worked as a New York City Teaching Fellow, teaching third and fifth grades, earned a master’s degree in education and eventually moved into school administration. He later became president of a nursing school.

David previously served as president of a nursing school. He has also worked as a pastor, teacher, educator, jail guard, restaurant maître d’, bar owner and actor.

David Louis Boldt Smith challenges status quo in District 15

Democrat David Louis Boldt Smith, 66, of Wantagh, is the former president of St. Paul's School of Nursing in Staten Island. He spotlights the "fairly unique affordability crisis" in the district which he attributes to expensive bills from Liberty Water, and supports municipalizing it. He also points to the need for more funding for pre-K seats in the district's schools. Smith cares about his community, but doesn't have a clear understanding of the county's role in such topics.

No endorsement: Nassau Legislative District 15

David Louis Boldt Smith, Democratic candidate for the County Legislature, discussed his campaign and his priorities for the 15th District. Smith said he is particularly concerned about water costs for residents served by Liberty Utilities, or New York Water. Wantagh, Seaford and Levittown are among communities in Liberty’s Merrick service area, and the state Public Service Commission is currently overseeing a major rate proceeding involving the Utility. Smith said he would push for greater attention to the issue and potentially pursue legal action.

Supports bringing Liberty Water under municipal control, citing its bills as contributing to the district's affordability challenges.

Plans to call for greater attention to water costs and potentially pursue legal action.

- Supports bringing Liberty Water under municipal control, citing its bills as contributing to the district's affordability challenges.
- Plans to call for greater attention to water costs and potentially pursue legal action.

Economy

With young families and working people increasingly struggling to afford to live in Nassau County, he argued that unused or underused property, including areas near railroad tracks, could host middle-income housing. As well, Smith wants to expand access to preschool, saying that families shouldn’t have to leave Nassau County because they can’t afford child care. On the topic of public safety, Smith said that keeping Nassau safe should remain a central responsibility of county government.

Wants to expand preschool access for Nassau County families facing child-care costs.

- Wants to expand preschool access for Nassau County families facing child-care costs.

Public Services

Another priority for Smith is housing. With young families and working people increasingly struggling to afford to live in Nassau County, he argued that unused or underused property, including areas near railroad tracks, could host middle-income housing. As well, Smith wants to expand access to preschool, saying that families shouldn’t have to leave Nassau County because they can’t afford child care.

Advocates for middle-income housing on unused or underused property, including areas near railroad tracks.

- Advocates for middle-income housing on unused or underused property, including areas near railroad tracks.

Housing & Urban Development

Smith said he would push for greater attention to the issue and potentially pursue legal action. He also wants Nassau County to establish a 311 system for non-emergency calls. A proposal was introduced by Democratic legislators in February, with supporters saying it could reduce pressure on the county’s 911 system. Another priority for Smith is housing.

On the topic of public safety, Smith said that keeping Nassau safe should remain a central responsibility of county government. But he criticized the county’s provisional deputy sheriff program, which critics have referred to as an “armed militia.” The county says the program consists of provisional emergency special deputy sheriffs who can be activated during an emergency and otherwise have no police powers. Smith said he would redirect resources toward traditional public-safety personnel.

Wants Nassau County to establish a 311 system for non-emergency calls.

Plans to redirect resources from the provisional deputy sheriff program toward traditional public-safety personnel.

- Wants Nassau County to establish a 311 system for non-emergency calls.
- Plans to redirect resources from the provisional deputy sheriff program toward traditional public-safety personnel.

Public Safety

As of October 26, 2026, David Louis Boldt Smith did not have a website or any information online.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

Facebook

As of October 26, 2026, David Louis Boldt Smith’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

DISTRICT 15 - KAYLA KNIGHT

Biography:
Kayla L. Knight is a lifelong Wantagh resident, attorney, and Nassau County Legislator committed to public safety, fiscal responsibility, and strong local communities.

Ms. Knight is a proud graduate of Wantagh High School and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies with a minor in American Government and Politics from St. John’s University. [...] Knight later earned her Juris Doctor from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University in 2022 and was admitted to practice law in New York State in 2023 and in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York in 2024.

Kayla Lianne Knight is a lifelong Wantagh resident. She earned a bachelor's degree in legal studies, with a minor in American government and politics, from St. John's University and a law degree from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University in 2022.

District 15 - Kayla Knight | Nassau County, NY - Official Website

She is a practicing attorney with Jericho-based Nicolini, Paradise, Ferretti & Sabella. She previously worked at Robert K Young & Associates in Merrick.

Kayla works as a practicing attorney with Nicolini, Paradise, Ferretti & Sabella. She previously worked at Robert K Young & Associates.

No endorsement in Nassau Legislative District 15 - Newsday

Knight, 28, of Wantagh, is a registered Republican and is running on the Republican and Conservative party lines in the general election. She is seeking a second term.

Kayla is seeking a second term as Nassau County Legislator.

Knight said that if reelected she wants to focus on protecting taxpayers by keeping property taxes flat, promoting responsible fiscal policies and working toward making Nassau affordable for veterans.

As of October 26, 2026, Kayla Lianne Knight did not have a website or any information online.

Knight said she wants to ensure that zoning and development issues are kept under local control rather than have state or outside input dictate such policies.

Wants zoning and development policies to remain under local control rather than be directed by the state or outside entities.

Promotes zoning and development policies being under local control rather than being directed by the state or outside entities.

- Promotes zoning and development policies being under local control rather than being directed by the state or outside entities.

She said she also supports law enforcement and seeks to continue working closely with police to address community concerns. She also said she wants to advocate for technology, resources and tools for police to ensure they have the means to keep communities safe.

Supports law enforcement and continued collaboration with police on community concerns.

Supports law enforcement and collaboration with police on community concerns.

Advocates for police technology, resources, and tools.

- Supports law enforcement and collaboration with police on community concerns.
- Advocates for police technology, resources, and tools.

LinkedIn

Kayla Lianne Knight

As of October 26, 2026, Kayla Lianne Knight’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Kayla Lianne Knight is a lifelong Wantagh resident. She earned a bachelor's degree in legal studies, with a minor in American government and politics, from St. John's University and a law degree from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University. She serves as vice president of the Long Island Italian Lions Club.

Kayla Lianne Knight is a practicing attorney with Nicolini, Paradise, Ferretti & Sabella. Her professional background includes service with the Nassau County Legislature and the Nassau County Executive’s Office.

Kayla currently serves as Nassau County Legislator for District 15.

Nassau County Legislator, District 15

Candidates (2)