Benjamin Jackson, 65, a lifelong Freeport resident who served on the village's zoning board of appeals for over a decade, is an independent running on the Republican line. He said the county's infrastructure must be improved before large-scale housing can be built.

Newsday endorsement: Debra S. Mulé for Nassau Legislative District 6

Benjamin Jackson is a lifelong Freeport resident.

Debra S. Mulé for Nassau Legislative District 6 - Newsday

The funds raised from congestion pricing are intended to support the MTA, including the Long Island Rail Road.
Benjamin Jackson, who runs Ben’s General Contracting in Freeport, voiced his frustration with the program.

Long Islanders weigh in on the federal plan to halt congestion pricing

Benjamin Jackson runs Ben’s General Contracting in Freeport.

After over four decades as a contractor and years of involvement in Freeport civic organizations, Benjamin Jackson says his approach to local government is rooted in a lesson he learned from his father: If you see a problem, don’t complain about it — do something about it.

Jackson, 64, the Republican candidate in the County Legislature’s 6th District, is making another bid for the seat, with a focus on affordability, infrastructure, housing and public safety.

Jackson focus on affordability

Benjamin previously ran for the County Legislature’s 6th District seat.

Benjamin Jackson seeks Nassau County District 6 seat with focus ...

2026 New York General Election

Among his top concerns is affordability, which he said is closely tied to the tax burden on county residents. He argued that government should more closely scrutinize its spending and look for inefficiencies before committing additional taxpayer dollars.

“I think taxes and affordability go hand in hand,” Jackson said. “I think we need somebody to actually look at it and say, ‘OK, why are we spending this money here? Can’t we do this a little differently?’”

If you are Nassau County resident or small business owner, you are already paying some of the highest per capita tax rates in the country. I will be looking at myriad ways to reduce the tax burden for our citizens and hold the line on new taxes.

Issues and Priorities

Calls for closer scrutiny of government spending to address affordability.

Plans to reduce the tax burden and oppose new taxes.

- Calls for closer scrutiny of government spending to address affordability.
- Plans to reduce the tax burden and oppose new taxes.

Economy

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

Public Services

Those affordability concerns extend to housing, an issue Jackson said requires balancing the county’s need for more homes with the capacity of its existing infrastructure. While he supports increasing the housing supply, including affordable housing, he said that development should be approached community by community rather than with a one-size-fits-all strategy.

“Do we need more housing? There’s no doubt about it,” Jackson said. “We need affordable housing. There’s no doubt about it.”

When elected I will actively fight against Governor Hochel's Housing Plan. Zoning needs to remain in the hands of Nassau County citizens.

Supports increasing housing supply, including affordable housing.

Supports increasing the housing supply, including affordable housing.

Opposes Governor Hochul's housing plan and supports Nassau County residents retaining control of zoning.

- Supports increasing the housing supply, including affordable housing.
- Opposes Governor Hochul's housing plan and supports Nassau County residents retaining control of zoning.

Housing & Urban Development

While there are problems with traditional cash bail, we are certain that throwing the baby out with the bath water is not the solution. When elected I will oppose cashless bail. I fully support both our Nassau County Police and those of our local municipalities.

Supports the Nassau County Police Department and local municipal police departments.

- Opposes cashless bail.
- Supports the Nassau County Police Department and local municipal police departments.

Public Safety

Benjamin Jackson, who runs Ben’s General Contracting in Freeport, voiced his frustration with the program. He said the toll felt like “another tax” and an additional financial strain on trucks that enter Manhattan.

“It’s just another money grab. And that makes it more difficult,” he stated, showing the displeasure of those who believe congestion pricing adds unnecessary expenses.

Opposes congestion pricing, calling it “another money grab.”

- Opposes congestion pricing, calling it “another money grab.”

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

Benjamin Jackson

- Plans to reduce the tax burden and oppose new taxes.

- Opposes Governor Hochul's housing plan and supports Nassau County residents retaining control of zoning.