East Meadow Election Guide

As we look ahead to November’s elections, Patch sites across Nassau County are here to bring you the information you need about every race in town. Here's our start on the candidates and issues we'll be covering as November draws near. Bookmark this page for updates.

President Barack Obama: Elected in 2008 on a platform of change, this time around the president is going to have to draw from his experience at the country's helm for the past four years. Time will tell if the president visits the East End this election, but if history is any indicator, we're sure to see .

GOP Presidential Nominee Mitt Romney (presumed): While the former Massachusetts governor still needs the nomination at the GOP convention in August, the race between the president and this New England Republican is all but set. Look for Romney to point to taxes and big government to pick up East End votes. , but we expect he'll be back before Election Day.

U.S. Senate: U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., is seeking a six-year term in Washington following her appointment by then Gov. David Paterson on Jan. 23, 2009. Gillibrand replaced Hillary Rodham Clinton when she was appointed Secretary of State by President Obama. Republicans running in a primary for the right to battle Gillibrand this November include U.S. Rep. Bob Turner, R-Forest Hills, Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos and U.S litigation attorney Wendy E. Long.

4th Congressional District: Nassau County Legis. , R-Lynbrook, and Frank Scaturro, who will vie for the in 4th Congressional District to face incumbent Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-Mineola, this fall. A new map eliminates two existing congressional districts in the state, going from 29 to 27 districts. One of the lost seats will be on Long Island, which will now have four representatives instead of five.

17th Assembly District: Assemblyman Tom McKevitt, R-East Meadow, was first elected in a special election in February 2006. McKevitt is currently the ranking minority member on the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Mental Health, and also serves on the Insurance, Small Business, and Aging committees.

6th Senate District: State Sen. Kemp Hannon, R-Garden City. He has served as chairman of the prestigious Senate committees on Health and Housing, and he is regarded as the spearheading force behind both the reauthorization of the Health Care Reform Act and the development of New York's Assisted Living Program. Additionally, he helped the state enact several popular health programs including Child Health Plus, Healthy New York, Family Health Plus, the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Program, early intervention efforts, and insurance coverage for autism, prostate and breast cancer screenings.

Ryan Cronin, D-Garden City, will challenge for Hannon's seat. By age 23, Cronin became the Executive Director of the Nassau County Democratic Committee. He served in that role until attending Washington University in St. Louis School of Law. Cronin also has worked with organizations such as Rebuilding Together and the Special Olympics, and has also participated in voter protection initiatives. For more on Cronin, click here.

(Henry Powderly and Michael Ganci contributed to this report.)