Mario Mattera Vs. Craig Herskowitz: NYS Senate District 2 Preview

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Republican State Sen. Mario Mattera is seeking re-election to New York State Senate District 2. He is being opposed by Democratic challenger Craig Herskowitz.

Voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Mattera defeated Democratic challenger Susan Berland in 2022 after defeating Michael Siderakisin 2020 for the vacant seat.

The 2nd State Senate District covers the townships of Huntington and Smithtown.

Both candidates have filled out a Patch questionnaire form. Read their full answers using the hyperlinks below:

• Mario Mattera
• Craig Herskowitz

Herskowitz said he plans to "oppose the Trump agenda."

He also said Mattera, a Republican, has "no real seat at the table in Albany" in what is a Democratic majority at the senate level. Herskowitz said, if elected, he would work to ensure the "economic securities" of his district.

Mattera said he has worked with colleagues on both sides of the aisle when it helps the people he represents.

"I do, however, recognize that the one-party rule in Albany has not served the residents of the 2nd Senate District and we need a return of common sense for the good of all New Yorkers," Mattera said. "Change in the Senate is sorely needed."

Herskowitz called the immigration crisis a "failure at the federal level." He said there are not enough resources, including judges, to handle the increasing caseload of immigrants.

"And while the federal government fails on processing caseloads, states are seeing a strain on already inadequate housing and resources," Herskowitz said. "To be clear, this is not the fault of immigrants. This is the fault of Republicans."

Mattera said the immigration issue was created by President Joe Biden's Administration, with Vice President Kamala Harris "at the helm."

"It has been invited into our state by New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul with sanctuary policies," Mattera said. "Now, our localities and our taxpayers are being asked to shoulder the overwhelming burden of these failures and they should not be asked to give anymore.
Our nation needs to secure our borders and our state needs to rescind the sanctuary policies immediately. Those who are coming across our border are not vetted properly and our first priority should be our residents’ safety."

Mattera called for the repeal of bail reform and getting tougher on crime, which he said could only be accomplished by ending the one-party rule of the state Democrats.

Herskowitz opposes the restoration of the State and Local Tax Relief cap and said it was "imposed by the Trump administration to punish New York families and blue states."

Mattera said he is in favor of restoring SALT.