Palumbo, Murray Vie for First Senate District

The South Shore Press will not make an endorsement in the race for Senate District 1 after neither incumbent Republican Anthony Palumbo nor Democratic challenger Christopher Murray responded to invitations to meet with our editorial board.

Our endorsement process gives candidates an opportunity to discuss their records, positions and plans for addressing the issues confronting Long Island residents. Without that dialogue, we believe it would be inappropriate to recommend either candidate.

Palumbo, a former Suffolk County prosecutor, was elected to the State Assembly in 2013 before winning his Senate seat in 2020. He serves as deputy minority floor leader and ranking Republican on the Codes and Judiciary committees. His priorities include public safety, reforming cashless bail laws, reducing taxes and making Long Island more affordable.

Murray, an attorney and former chairman of the Suffolk County Community College Board of Trustees, is running on the Democratic and Working Families Party lines. His campaign emphasizes affordability, environmental protection, healthcare access and opposition to Trump administration policies. He supports expanding healthcare coverage and strengthening environmental protections.

The district includes northern Brookhaven and the five East End towns.