2016 Election Preview: 8th Senate District

In the race for the state's 8th Senate District, incumbent Republican Michael Venditto is being challenged by Democrat John Brooks.

Venditto is a freshman senator finishing his first term in office. He was elected in 2014, beating Democrat Dave Denenberg, who was forced to drop out of the race when he was convicted of a felony. Before his election, Venditto was active in the community. He currently serves as Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Consumer Protection, and also sits on the Codes, Crime Victims, Crime and Correction, Higher Education, Insurance, Judiciary, Labor, Libraries and the bipartisan Joint Senate Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction committees.

Brooks is a lifelong Long Island resident, and a volunteer fire fighter with the Seaford Fire Department for more than 45 years and remains an active member today. He served on the Seaford Board of Education for a number of years. After a long career in the insurance industry, Brooks was made the first Director of Risk Management for Nassau County, where he established risk management and safety programs, saving $84 million.

The 8th Senate District encompasses Freeport, Bellmore, Merrick, North Bellmore, North Merrick, Roosevelt, Seaford, Wantagh, East Massapequa, Amityville, and Copiague, and parts of Farmingdale, Baldwin, Massapequa, Hempstead and Wyandanch.

For more information about the candidates, visit their websites:

• Venditto
• Brooks

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