BIOGRAPHY:
James D. Kennedy is a lifelong Long Island resident and a graduate of Fordham University. James was first elected in a special election in February 2015 to serve the 12th Legislative District and was re-elected by a wide margin in November 2015, 2017, 2019 and again in 2021. Due to redistricting, in 2023 he was elected to serve in the new 19th Legislative District, which contains most of the Massapequas and parts of Seaford. Before serving as a Nassau County Legislator, James worked as a fifth-grade teacher at Holy Child Academy.

District 19 - James Kennedy | Nassau County, NY

His father-in law, the late presiding officer of the Nassau County Legislature, Peter J. Schmitt, inspired and encouraged James' interest in local government, and James will continue Peter's legacy of fighting for the people of his community. James is married to Samantha, and they live in Massapequa with their children Logan and Emma. In addition to his Bachelor of Arts degree from Fordham, James also holds a Master of Fine Arts from Brooklyn College of the City University of New York and a Master of Science in Childhood Education from the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University.

James D. Kennedy is a lifelong Long Island resident. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Fordham University, a Master of Fine Arts from Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, and a Master of Science in childhood education from the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University. He lives in Massapequa with his wife, Samantha, and their two children.

District 19 - James Kennedy | Nassau County, NY - Official Website

James D. Kennedy previously worked as a fifth-grade teacher at Holy Child Academy.

BIOGRAPHY:
James D. Kennedy is a lifelong Long Island resident and a graduate of Fordham University. James was first elected in a special election in February 2015 to serve the 12th Legislative District and was re-elected by a wide margin in November 2015, 2017, 2019 and again in 2021. Due to redistricting, in 2023 he was elected to serve in the new 19th Legislative District, which contains most of the Massapequas and parts of Seafore.

James currently serves as the Nassau County Legislator for the 19th Legislative District. He was elected to the district in 2023. He was first elected to represent the 12th Legislative District in a February 2015 special election and was reelected in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2021.

2026 New York General Election

County spending has been completely out of control and needs to be reigned in. As legislator, I have supported and will continue to support necessary capital spending in order to maintain and repair our roads, beautify our parks, and maintain our buildings. However, we must find every efficiency, control costs, and identify new revenue sources and grant opportunities if we are to continue to do so without raising any taxes.

Nassau Legislator Candidates: Meet James Kennedy

Supports controlling county costs, pursuing efficiencies, increasing revenue, and seeking grants while maintaining capital spending without raising taxes.

- Supports controlling county costs, pursuing efficiencies, increasing revenue, and seeking grants while maintaining capital spending without raising taxes.

Economy

As of October 26, 2026, James D. Kennedy did not have a website or any information online.

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James D. Kennedy

Sponsored legislation requiring tax-impact notices to homeowners explaining how county reassessments would affect their tax bills.

Sponsored legislation requiring the Department of Assessment to disclose the complete method it uses to calculate assessments.

Sponsored legislation requiring assessment officials to answer residents' calls and hold public hearings before issuing lists of tax assessments.

Calls for changes to New York State's bail-reform laws, which he describes as a failed policy that endangers Nassau County residents.

Supports providing police with the resources they need to protect Nassau County residents.

Sponsored Crime Stoppers signs and security cameras in the Peter J. Schmitt Massapequa Preserve to deter crime.

Supports capital spending to maintain and repair roads, beautify parks, and maintain county buildings.

Worked to establish a joint Nassau-Suffolk commission to address threats to groundwater and coordinate groundwater management.

Opposes reopening New York City groundwater wells in Queens, citing risks to Long Island's underground drinking-water supply.

Sought state and federal funding to address groundwater contamination from the Grumman facility in Bethpage.

As of October 26, 2026, James D. Kennedy’s website did not contain information on this issue.

BIOGRAPHY:
James D. Kennedy is a lifelong Long Island resident and a graduate of Fordham University.

In addition to his Bachelor of Arts degree from Fordham, James also holds a Master of Fine Arts from Brooklyn College of the City University of New York and a Master of Science in Childhood Education from the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University.

James is married to Samantha, and they live in Massapequa with their children Logan and Emma.

James D. Kennedy is a lifelong Long Island resident. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Fordham University, a Master of Fine Arts from Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, and a Master of Science in childhood education from the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University. He is married to Samantha and has two children.

Before serving as a Nassau County Legislator, James worked as a fifth-grade teacher at Holy Child Academy.

James previously worked as a fifth-grade teacher at Holy Child Academy.

James was first elected in a special election in February 2015 to serve the 12th Legislative District and was re-elected by a wide margin in November 2015, 2017, 2019 and again in 2021.

Due to redistricting, in 2023 he was elected to serve in the new 19th Legislative District, which contains most of the Massapequas and parts of Seaford.

James was elected to the Nassau County Legislature from the 19th Legislative District in 2023 following redistricting. He was first elected in a February 2015 special election to represent the 12th Legislative District and was reelected in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2021.

Calls for controlling county costs, finding ways to save money, and pursuing new revenue and grants without raising taxes.

Sponsored legislation requiring homeowner tax-impact notices, disclosure of the assessment algorithm, responsiveness to resident calls, and public hearings on future tax rolls.

Calls for changes to bail reform, which he says reduced judicial discretion to recommend addiction treatment and threatens public safety.

Sponsored Crime Stoppers signage and cameras in the Peter J. Schmitt Massapequa Preserve to deter crime.

Pledges to support police and provide what they need to protect Nassau County residents.

Supports capital spending to maintain and repair roads and county buildings.

Worked to establish a joint Nassau-Suffolk commission to address threats to groundwater and coordinate groundwater-resource management.

Opposes reopening New York City Queens groundwater wells, citing risks to Long Island's drinking-water aquifer.

Sought state and federal funding to address groundwater contamination from the Grumman facility in Bethpage without burdening Nassau taxpayers.

BIOGRAPHY:
James D. Kennedy is a lifelong Long Island resident and a graduate of Fordham University. [...] James is married to Samantha, and they live in Massapequa with their children Logan and Emma. In addition to his Bachelor of Arts degree from Fordham, James also holds a Master of Fine Arts from Brooklyn College of the City University of New York and a Master of Science in Childhood Education from the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University.

James D. Kennedy is a lifelong Long Island resident. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Fordham University, a Master of Fine Arts from Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, and a Master of Science in childhood education from the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University. He lives in Massapequa with his wife, Samantha, and their two children.

Due to redistricting, in 2023 he was elected to serve in the new 19th Legislative District, which contains most of the Massapequas and parts of Seaford. Before serving as a Nassau County Legislator, James worked as a fifth-grade teacher at Holy Child Academy.

BIOGRAPHY:
James D. Kennedy is a lifelong Long Island resident and a graduate of Fordham University. James was first elected in a special election in February 2015 to serve the 12th Legislative District and was re-elected by a wide margin in November 2015, 2017, 2019 and again in 2021. Due to redistricting, in 2023 he was elected to serve in the new 19th Legislative District, which contains most of the Massapequas and parts of Seaford.

James was elected to serve Nassau County's 19th Legislative District in 2023. He was first elected in a February 2015 special election to serve the 12th Legislative District and was reelected in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2021.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

County spending has been completely out of control and needs to be reigned in. As legislator, I have supported and will continue to support necessary capital spending in order to maintain and repair our roads, beautify our parks, and maintain our buildings. However, we must find every efficiency, control costs, and identify new revenue sources and grant opportunities if we are to continue to do so without raising any taxes.

Nassau Legislature Candidates: Meet James Kennedy

Calls for controlling county costs, identifying efficiencies and pursuing revenue and grants to avoid tax increases.

- Calls for controlling county costs, identifying efficiencies and pursuing revenue and grants to avoid tax increases.

James continues to fight to ensure that property taxes do not increase and works hard to build a stronger economy that brings well-paying jobs to Nassau County. He also continues the fight to eradicate the drug problem that threatens our neighborhoods to make sure our quality of life continues to improve.

While I’ve been out knocking on doors in my district I have found TWO things that repeatedly come up - the reassessment mess and the debacle of bail reform. People are scared of what is going to happen to their taxes and they’re also scared of the disastrous policy that has given criminals a free pass. I have fought for transparency and accuracy in the county executives reassessment and will continue in that fight until people have a clearer understanding of what their responsibilities are and can ask questions of those responsible for giving them answers. It is about time!

Meet The Candidates: James Kennedy For Nassau County Legislature

To combat this troubling lack of transparency, I have sponsored legislation to require tax impact notifications be mailed to every county homeowner to provide additional information as to how the county executive’s reassessment will impact their tax bills. Additionally, I sponsored legislation to require the disclosure of the complete assessment algorithm used by the Department of Assessment to determine residents’ assessments.

To combat this troubling lack of transparency, I have sponsored legislation to require tax impact notifications be mailed to every county homeowner to provide additional information as to how the county executive’s reassessment will impact their tax bills. Additionally, I sponsored legislation to require the disclosure of the complete assessment algorithm used by the Department of Assessment to determine residents’ assessments. I have also sponsored legislation to require the Department of Assessment to answer the phone calls of concerned residents and to force the county assessor to hold public hearings on the future issuance of the tax assessment roll.

Additionally, I sponsored legislation to require the disclosure of the complete assessment algorithm used by the Department of Assessment to determine residents’ assessments. I have also sponsored legislation to require the Department of Assessment to answer the phone calls of concerned residents and to force the county assessor to hold public hearings on the future issuance of the tax assessment roll. It is my intention to make the assessment process as transparent as possible, to treat Nassau residents with the utmost fairness, and allow their voices to be heard.

Advocates for transparency and accuracy in Nassau County's property reassessment process.

Sponsored legislation requiring tax-impact notices to homeowners about reassessment-related changes to their tax bills.

Sponsored legislation requiring disclosure of the assessment algorithm used to determine residents' property assessments.

Sponsored legislation requiring assessment-department responses to resident calls and public hearings before future tax-roll issuance.

- Opposes increases in property taxes.
- Advocates for transparency and accuracy in Nassau County's property reassessment process.
- Sponsored legislation requiring tax-impact notices to homeowners about reassessment-related changes to their tax bills.
- Sponsored legislation requiring disclosure of the assessment algorithm used to determine residents' property assessments.
- Sponsored legislation requiring assessment-department responses to resident calls and public hearings before future tax-roll issuance.

It is about time! As for bail reform, we must look to our state representatives, who started us down this path. I will continue to ask our state representatives to admit to the dangers of this failed policy and make the changes that are necessary and sensible for the safety of the residents of Nassau County.

Continuing to fight the drug epidemic is extremely important and has also been negatively impacted by bail reform as judges have lost the ability to help those suffering from drug addiction because they no longer have discretion to recommend treatment. I will always support our police and make sure they have whatever they need to do their very difficult jobs and protect the residents of Nassau County.

As Legislator, it has always been my sole priority to do what is best for the people of the 12th Legislative District. During the past 6 years and 8 months I have spent hours going door-to-door and meeting with residents so I know I am representing their views to the best of my ability. I have made sure I am accessible and responsive to the needs of the residents in my district. I have also sponsored numerous measures to ensure that our streets - and our children - are protected; including "See Something, Say Something" Crime Stoppers signage throughout the district and securing cameras in the Peter J. Schmitt Massapequa Preserve to deter crime.

Calls on state representatives to change bail-reform policies for Nassau County residents' safety.

Pledges to support police and provide resources for their work protecting Nassau County residents.

Sponsored crime-prevention signage and secured cameras in the Peter J. Schmitt Massapequa Preserve to deter crime.

- Calls on state representatives to change bail-reform policies for Nassau County residents' safety.
- Pledges to support police and provide resources for their work protecting Nassau County residents.
- Sponsored crime-prevention signage and secured cameras in the Peter J. Schmitt Massapequa Preserve to deter crime.

Supports capital spending to maintain and repair county roads.

- Supports capital spending to maintain and repair county roads.

I also worked to establish the Long Island Commission for Aquifer Protection, a joint Nassau/Suffolk agency to address threats to Long Island's groundwater and to advocate for a coordinated, regional approach to groundwater resources management. I have also been a fierce opponent to the proposed reopening of the New York City Queens groundwater wells which carries unpredictable risks to Long Island’s sole source aquifer system — our only source of drinking water.

I also worked to establish the Long Island Commission for Aquifer Protection, a joint Nassau/Suffolk agency to address threats to Long Island's groundwater and to advocate for a coordinated, regional approach to groundwater resources management. I have also been a fierce opponent to the proposed reopening of the New York City Queens groundwater wells which carries unpredictable risks to Long Island’s sole source aquifer system — our only source of drinking water. I have also sought additional funding from New York State and the federal government to address groundwater contamination emanating from the Grumman facility in Bethpage, without putting the financial burden on Nassau taxpayers.

I have also been a fierce opponent to the proposed reopening of the New York City Queens groundwater wells which carries unpredictable risks to Long Island’s sole source aquifer system — our only source of drinking water. I have also sought additional funding from New York State and the federal government to address groundwater contamination emanating from the Grumman facility in Bethpage, without putting the financial burden on Nassau taxpayers.

Worked to establish a Nassau-Suffolk commission to address groundwater threats through regional management.

Opposes reopening New York City groundwater wells in Queens, citing risks to Long Island's drinking-water aquifer.

- Worked to establish a Nassau-Suffolk commission to address groundwater threats through regional management.
- Opposes reopening New York City groundwater wells in Queens, citing risks to Long Island's drinking-water aquifer.
- Sought state and federal funding to address groundwater contamination from the Grumman facility in Bethpage.

DISTRICT 19 - JAMES KENNEDY

BIOGRAPHY: James D. Kennedy is a lifelong Long Island resident and a graduate of Fordham University. James was first elected in a special election in February 2015 to serve the 12th Legislative District and was re-elected by a wide margin in November 2015, 2017, 2019 and again in 2021. Due to redistricting, in 2023 he was elected to serve in the new 19th Legislative District, which contains most of the Massapequas and parts of Seaford.

James currently serves as Nassau County Legislator for the 19th Legislative District. He was first elected in a February 2015 special election to represent the 12th Legislative District and was reelected in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2021. Following redistricting, he was elected to represent the 19th Legislative District in 2023.

Supports controlling county spending, seeking efficiencies, revenue sources, and grants to maintain capital projects without raising taxes.

- Supports controlling county spending, seeking efficiencies, revenue sources, and grants to maintain capital projects without raising taxes.

Sponsored legislation requiring homeowner reassessment tax-impact notices and disclosure of the Department of Assessment's assessment algorithm.

Sponsored legislation requiring the Department of Assessment to answer residents' calls and the county assessor to hold public hearings on future tax assessment rolls.

- Sponsored legislation requiring homeowner reassessment tax-impact notices and disclosure of the Department of Assessment's assessment algorithm.
- Sponsored legislation requiring the Department of Assessment to answer residents' calls and the county assessor to hold public hearings on future tax assessment rolls.

As for bail reform, we must look to our state representatives, who started us down this path. I will continue to ask our state representatives to admit to the dangers of this failed policy and make the changes that are necessary and sensible for the safety of the residents of Nassau County.

Calls for state lawmakers to change bail reform policies for Nassau County residents' safety.

Sponsored Crime Stoppers signage and secured cameras in the Peter J. Schmitt Massapequa Preserve to deter crime.

- Calls for state lawmakers to change bail reform policies for Nassau County residents' safety.
- Sponsored Crime Stoppers signage and secured cameras in the Peter J. Schmitt Massapequa Preserve to deter crime.
- Pledges to support police and provide what they need to protect Nassau County residents.

Supports capital spending to maintain and repair roads and public buildings.

- Supports capital spending to maintain and repair roads and public buildings.

Worked to establish the Long Island Commission for Aquifer Protection to coordinate regional groundwater-resource management.

- Worked to establish the Long Island Commission for Aquifer Protection to coordinate regional groundwater-resource management.
- Opposes reopening New York City groundwater wells in Queens, citing risks to Long Island's drinking-water aquifer.
- Sought state and federal funding to address groundwater contamination from the Grumman facility in Bethpage without burdening Nassau taxpayers.

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

First and foremost, we have to address the lack of transparency in County Executive Laura Curran’s broken assessment system. Residents have complained that their calls to the department and administration go unanswered and our own county assessor has not held a single public hearing to explain his process and assessment methodology. Residents attending tax grievance workshops and the exemption workshops are outraged about the lack of information and transparency by the Curran administration and the assessment department. To combat this troubling lack of transparency, I have sponsored legislation to require tax impact notifications be mailed to every county homeowner to provide additional information as to how the county executive’s reassessment will impact their tax bills. Additionally, I sponsored legislation to require the disclosure of the complete assessment algorithm used by the Department of Assessment to determine residents’ assessments. I have also sponsored legislation to require the Department of Assessment to answer the phone calls of concerned residents and to force the county assessor to hold public hearings on the future issuance of the tax assessment roll. It is my intention to make the assessment process as transparent as possible, to treat Nassau residents with the utmost fairness, and allow their voices to be heard.

To combat this troubling lack of transparency, I have sponsored legislation to require tax impact notifications be mailed to every county homeowner to provide additional information as to how the county executive’s reassessment will impact their tax bills. Additionally, I sponsored legislation to require the disclosure of the complete assessment algorithm used by the Department of Assessment to determine residents’ assessments. I have also sponsored legislation to require the Department of Assessment to answer the phone calls of concerned residents and to force the county assessor to hold public hearings on the future issuance of the tax assessment roll. It is my intention to make the assessment process as transparent as possible, to treat Nassau residents with the utmost fairness, and allow their voices to be heard.

While I’ve been out knocking on doors in my district I have found TWO things that repeatedly come up - the reassessment mess and the debacle of bail reform. People are scared of what is going to happen to their taxes and they’re also scared of the disastrous policy that has given criminals a free pass. I have fought for transparency and accuracy in the county executives reassessment and will continue in that fight until people have a clearer understanding of what their responsibilities are and can ask questions of those responsible for giving them answers. It is about time! As for bail reform, we must look to our state representatives, who started us down this path. I will continue to ask our state representatives to admit to the dangers of this failed policy and make the changes that are necessary and sensible for the safety of the residents of Nassau County.

Meet the Candidates: James Kennedy, Nassau County Legislature

The fight to make Nassau more affordable continues to be a top priority and though high taxes from the messy reassessment are concerning many, the topic of public safety has become increasingly important for residents as the bail reform policy of the NYS majority has crime on the rise. Continuing to fight the drug epidemic is extremely important and has also been negatively impacted by bail reform as judges have lost the ability to help those suffering from drug addiction because they no longer have discretion to recommend treatment. I will always support our police and make sure they have whatever they need to do their very difficult jobs and protect the residents of Nassau County.

As Legislator, it has always been my sole priority to do what is best for the people of the 12th Legislative District. During the past 6 years and 8 months I have spent hours going door-to-door and meeting with residents so I know I am representing their views to the best of my ability. I have made sure I am accessible and responsive to the needs of the residents in my district. I have also sponsored numerous measures to ensure that our streets - and our children - are protected; including "See Something, Say Something" Crime Stoppers signage throughout the district and securing cameras in the Peter J. Schmitt Massapequa Preserve to deter crime. I don't know anything about other candidates seeking this position.