Dave Weber
Candidate: Dave Weber
Residence: Northport
Occupation: Small business owner
Current Office: Northport Village Trustee (elected 2020, re-elected 2024)
Office Sought: New York State Assembly, District 12 (AD-12)
Party Lines: Republican, Conservative
Notable Endorsements: Suffolk Law Enforcement Coalition, New York League of Conservation Voters
Northport Village Trustee Dave Weber is making his first run for higher office in perhaps Suffolk’s most competitive Assembly seat this year. He’s looking to succeed three-term Assemblyman Keith Brown (R-Northport), who is retiring.
Dave Weber sat down with The Messenger for this candidate spotlight interview.
Q: What is your professional background and how does it equip you for the Assembly?
A: I have an associate’s degree in criminal justice. I was a police officer in Daytona Beach, Florida. I left Florida to move back to New York to run the family boatyard in Northport. I would work the summers here and work for Daytona Beach Police in the winters for two years. It was interesting trying to juggle it back and forth. The department there and I parted amicably and am still subject to rehire if I ever moved back there.
At Seymour’s Boatyard, we have 15 employees who manage all the moorings, we offer launch services, and deal with three U.S. Coast Guard-verified launches, which are passenger-carrying vessels. Those are inspected vessels that go through strict code testing every year. It’s my job to make sure they’re all compliant. We also have a petroleum station to sell gas, and it’s my job to ensure we’re in compliance with State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) regulations. We also store and repair vessels and prepare them for the summer seasons.
Seymour’s Boatyard is a historic boatyard that has been in continuous operation since 1923. I was able to get the yard listed on the New York State Historic Business Registry.
My first career was a regular patrol officer in Daytona Beach. It gave me the background to understand what police officers need on the street. I started with the Northport Fire Department in 1996; I’ve been a volunteer firefighter for 30 years. I rose through the ranks and am now an ex-captain. That helped me learn how to budget and I understand what the first responders need to get their jobs done.
As a Village Trustee in Northport, I’ve been through two administrations and I’ve been able to grow into the role. I’ve been successful in championing an LED street light program, which has saved the Village tens of thousands of dollars since we started the program 5 years ago. I was also able to get the Village over $150,000 in grants, at no cost to the taxpayers, for a community basketball court and a harbor walk study. That study looks at the water’s edge along the commercial area of Northport, mainly where the parks and the parking lot are. We’re looking at different factors: stormwater runoff, floodwaters, rising tides, and coastal erosion. We’re studying the best way to harden the shoreline and prevent flooding and erosion.
I’m Chair of the Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan (LWRP), which is going to be the blueprint for commercial or recreational access to the waterfront, whether it’s enjoyed by boaters or pedestrians. We’re looking at Northport now and where we’d like to see it go. The LWRP is a State-run program that will probably take about 5 or 6 years, and it will lay out the future potential development along the harborfront from one end of the Village to the other. Most of the Village’s waterfront is residential; those areas won’t be touched. We’re not looking to do any development or construction along the waterfront; there’s really no ability for that. But we’re looking at a buffer along the waterway from the parking lot to prevent oil, gas, and other fluids from the cars leaking into the harbor. Parking is a big problem in the Village. I’m working to redesign Lot A to capture rainwater runoff and redesign the parking for more spaces.
A project like that doesn’t end in Northport, though. It can be done in Deer Park, such as a park walk in a low-lying area that needs drainage. I know the players in the DEC and the State agencies. That’s a benefit residents would get by electing me. There will be no learning curve.
We know from the Long Island Sound Study that Northport’s harbor is not the cleanest right now. We’ve been fighting back C and D letter grades for many years. It’s mostly attributed to nitrogen leaking into the harbor from septic systems or stormwater runoff. These are things I’ve been trying to make headway on for six years. We’ve already hooked up 40 houses to the sewer plant and we’re looking to get the lowest-hanging fruits off septic and onto sewers so we’re not polluting the harbor. It’s something I look forward to continuing if I’m elected. I also run the Oyster Project in the Village, making sure we grow oysters in the harbor, transplant them into the Sound so they can be cultivated. We also grow oysters through recycling shells to help the reef formation in the bay. Those oysters aren’t for consumption, but for marine habitat regrowth. We also manage the Kelp Program which we grow in the off-season and it can later be used for fertilizer.
Q: What is the state of the State in your view?
A: It’s in poor shape. People are fed up. I’ve knocked on thousands of doors over the past nine months and the concerns are always affordability and utilities. I’m a third-generation Northporter and I worry for my three sons about how they’re going to be able to stay here on Long Island and raise a family. I don’t see them being able to purchase a house here. I want to be able to give my kids the opportunity I and my parents had. We need more affordable housing and programs or tax credits for first-time homebuyers.
On energy, I believe in an all-of-the-above approach. I think offshore wind has a purpose, but it won’t solve all our problems. Nuclear will also help, but we need multiple types of energy. What we don’t need is unfunded mandates coming from Albany telling us what we need to do or demanding things by certain deadlines. It’s difficult for these utility companies to put in these programs forced down their throats. The electric school bus mandate, for example, didn’t have a practical timeline. They had to pump the brakes on that and slow it down.
On crime, I defer to what law enforcement needs to do their jobs. I know many of them are frustrated because they can arrest someone and that person will turn around and be out the same night because of bail reform. The judges need more discretion to look at individual cases and determine whether a person is a repeat offender, not just because of the seriousness of the crime. That’s where the revolving door comes from. In the long run, that individual is costing taxpayers by coming in and out of the system. Let’s hold them accountable for what they’ve done.
I’ve been a police officer before and since I’ve worked in local government for the last 6 years, I know that we need intercommunication between agencies. It’s of the utmost importance. We should not be taking away the ability for local agencies to cooperate with federal authorities on immigration. There are illegal immigrants in this country who have gotten NYS driver’s licenses and commercial licenses. It has created issues. I think allowing communication solves a lot of problems. Lessening that communication creates more chaos.
Q: What are your plans for AD-12 if elected?
A: I have a good relationship with the fire chiefs in Deer Park and Brentwood. They need grants for equipment and various needs; they’re always talking about being underfunded. These are relationships I can continue to grow if I’m elected – that includes the school districts and civic groups as well.
One of my big objectives is beautification. I see the work they’re doing along Deer Park Avenue and I’m certainly willing to help them with them. I think we can make the area, whether by the Tanger Outlets or the other commercial spaces, safer and improve them with signage and lighting. I think we can also relocate some of the utilities and improve the infrastructure as well.
I’ve been talking with people in East Northport about a proposed Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Facility. I’m not in support of Albany taking control of projects. I think our local communities know what they need and what they can handle. They should be the ones controlling construction projects in their districts, especially something like a BESS facility. Even though it’s a State issue, I think Albany dictating what to do is not the right way forward. I’m not in favor of those BESS facilities right now. I think they should be banned from Long Island. Long Island is an environmental hotbed as it is. We live on sand that’s right on top of the aquifer. If there’s an emergency or some kind of catastrophic incident, it could damage the aquifer. These facilities should be Upstate.
Q: What would be your objectives for the State at-large if elected?
A: I’m a big champion for environmental causes. Working at a boatyard for the last 30 years, I have the understanding to keep the Long Island Sound clean.
I also want to continue Keith Brown’s work on substance abuse disorders and mental health. I’ve been involved in that issue as a Village Trustee, I know the treatment centers, and I attend many seminars. It’s a passionate subject for me. I hope to be on the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Committee if I’m elected. There’s not enough advocacy in the field of mental health to guide kids from high school into young adult life. They get pumped out of high school and they’re suddenly on their own. When you have a two-parent working family, it’s difficult to find time to dedicate to getting kids the right help.
Q: As the politics shift in Albany, where do you find yourself in that fold if elected and what advice can you give your potential caucus?
A: I’m a middle-of-the-road guy. I look outside the box for solutions to get things done. I think we are going to have a problem with the socialists in Albany, but I would like to keep them in check while not being someone on the extreme right who is just going to argue. Those sides will always butt heads and never get anything done. We don’t need that. My opponent at a debate the other week slammed his fist on the table and said we need to abolish ICE. That’s not a moderate; that’s an extremist. I’m a middle-of-the-road fiscal conservative.
The State budget has increased over $100B over the last five years. How much are we going to be able to sustain with the budget going up $20B a year? It’s insane. The mayor of New York runs out of money and puts his hand out and Albany just bails him out.
Q: What’s your favorite quote, motto, or work ethic?
A: “You can’t help everyone, but you can help some people. And in this way everyone will be helped by doing something.” – Ronald Reagan
My life has been about public service, whether it’s the Village, the fire department, raising money for the Veterans’ organizations, or working with different civic groups. We all, individually, have the ability to help somebody. We should be doing the right things for ourselves, but we can definitely help a bit collectively. And that’s how we’re able to help each other a lot.
Q: How do you like to connect with your community, and what do you do in your spare time?
A: Technology and social media have been a great way to get in touch with people and see what they’re saying. I’m a founding member of the Rotary Reach, which is an environmental action Rotary based in Huntington. We started that about 4 years ago. It goes along with what I’m doing in the Village. I’m a 30-year member of the Northport Chamber of Commerce as well. I do fundraising for Paws of War, based in Nesconset.
I grew up on the water water. Boating is a part of my life. Weekends for me include boating on the North Shore or taking it to the ocean on the South Shore. I’m an outdoorsman; I love the sun and sand and you’ll find me vacationing or spending the summers here on Long Island. I’m also a foodie and love trying all the different restaurants across the Island.
The Messenger thanks Dave Weber for his time for this interview.
Craig Herskowitz
Candidate: Craig Herskowitz
Residence: Northport
Occupation: Attorney
Office Sought: New York State Assembly, District 12 (AD-12)
Prior Campaigns: New York State Senate, District 2 (2024), Suffolk County Legislature, District 18 (2025)
Party Lines: Democratic, Working Families
Notable Endorsements: Suffolk AME, NYSUT, CWA 1199, NSYNA, Sierra Club, NYSBCTC, NYS AFL-CIO, LiUNA
Craig Herskowitz is making his third consecutive run for office in Suffolk County. He was soundly defeated in 2024 by Senator Mario Mattera (R-St. James) and came up just short in a County Legislature race last year. Now, he’s running for this open Assembly seat that takes in the north shore of Huntington and parts of Commack, Deer Park, Baywood, Brentwood, and North Bay Shore.
Craig Herskowitz sat down with The Messenger for this candidate spotlight interview.
Q: What is the state of the State in your view?
A: We’re hurting; affordability is a big issue. With the gas prices and utility bills, housing, and healthcare, everything is becoming less and less affordable. Long Island has the highest property taxes in the country. Our tax dollars are going out but they’re not coming back. My focus will be working with leadership to bring hundreds of millions of dollars back into the district to alleviate our property taxes and costs.
Safety is a big issue. I think the changes to bail reform – providing judicial discretion in cases where someone commits a second offense while they have an open case – have been helpful to prevent repeat offenders, particularly people with mental health issues, from returning to the streets. People are tired of going to CVS and seeing everything put behind glass; it’s really obnoxious and hurting businesses. We need to support our local law enforcement.
The pendulum has swung on immigration. Biden mishandled the border crisis, and Trump won on immigration. When I was campaigning two years ago, people would ask why the State is spending money housing migrants and giving migrants debit cards. Now, they think we don’t have due process and they don’t like these random ICE raids that are hurting families, communities, and the economy. I’m seeing people being randomly grabbed off the streets at bus stops or 7-Elevens. They’re being detained for months before they ever get to see a judge. These are people who have no criminal record, they have work authorizations, they’re paying taxes, many of them came in legally on visas, many have open asylum claims, and some even have legal status. I had one case where a U.S. citizen was arrested by ICE because they thought his passport was fake. He was detained for one month and then released.
We obviously want a secure border and to get rid of people who are dangers to the community, but we don’t want to hurt farmers, restaurant workers, people who have been here for years and have families here. We’re spending billions on detaining people who are not threats and are contributing to our economy.
If there is a judicial warrant, local law should fully cooperate with ICE. I think the problem is now ICE operating with administrative warrants, in which case, I think local law should not be cooperating with ICE. The cases are civil in nature. If you enter the country without inspection, you’re being charged with a civil violation. You’re not being criminally charged. I understand the purpose of Sanctuary policies because we want to encourage people who are in the country illegally to cooperate with law enforcement, to report crimes, and not be arrested solely because of their immigration status.
Technically, if you enter the country illegally, you can be charged with a federal crime, but no one ever is. Our local law enforcement should not be going after actual criminals, not civil crimes. I was an attorney for the FBI and my friends who are still there say they’re being told top federal investigations into criminal activity to assist ICE with random raids.
On energy, I would love to see this push towards renewable energy, and these big breakthroughs in nuclear. There’s a lot of pushback against wind because of the myth that it kills whales, and there’s a lot of pushback on battery storage. We obviously don’t want battery storage in residential areas. With energy prices and War in Iran, we obviously need to pursue renewable energy.
Q: What are your plans for AD-12 if elected?
A: The Deer Park area has been part of my concern; it’s been ignored for many years. I want to repair Deer Park Avenue and revitalize the area around it, replicating what Deputy Speaker Phil Ramos (D-Brentwood) did in Bay Shore. I want to bring in millions of dollars to repair all the facades on the storefronts to make it a beautiful, walkable community. I’ve got commitments from leadership to bring that money in.
For the Islip section of my district, they’re really scared of ICE enforcement and the Supreme Court basically saying that racial profiling is permissible in these cases. I want to work closely with Ramos to support them. That Deer Park-Baywood-Brentwood area is blue-collar; a lot of them voted for Trump, but they’re not MAGA. People there want money for sewers, money to repair the ball fields and schools.
For Huntington, we have nitrates and forever chemicals that are seeping into the water. I’ll be looking to bring funds there to improve the water quality. The Town got a low rating on our water quality recently.
Q: Do you have any objectives for the State at-large if elected?
A: When I was with the FBI and the Department of Justice, I led financial investigations into terrorist organizations and recovered millions of dollars used to compensate victims. I led the Bernie Madoff victim remission case, which allocated $4.4B to victims. I worked at JPMorgan Chase doing financial investigation, and I was the chief legal advisor for all financial matters in New York under Governor Cuomo. I oversaw the Department of Financial Services, the Department of Taxation and Finance, and the NYS Insurance Fund. I know how Albany works. I want to work with the Senate Finance Committee and the Ways and Means Committee to bring back the money to Long Island.
As a financial expert, I’m really hopeful of bringing money to the district and making sure there’s no waste, fraud, or abuse. There could be more done with investigating Medicaid fraud. I worked those cases while at the DOJ. I want to send a strong message that anyone who commits these financial crimes that hurt the State or our people, they will not profit from it, and their assets will be seized.
I’d also like to look into consumer fraud. Consumers don’t have lobbyists to advocate for them.
Q: Where do you fit into a changing Democratic Party that has had full control of Albany since 2019?
A: The reality is, our Republican representatives are not going to have a seat at the table. I’ll be able to push back against some of the extreme-left agenda and I can do it more effectively than a Republican will be able to. We need to elect strong, Long Island suburban Democrats to represent us because we can’t allow the far-left in the City to govern the State.
When I was working for the State, I joked that bail reform was going to turn me into a Republican; the Democrats really mishandled it. I understand the desire for bail reform – you don’t want someone sitting in Rikers Island for six months waiting for a court date for a petit larceny charge – but at the same time, you don’t want someone who is shoplifting from CVS to be let go and then shoplift again. I was a criminal defense attorney. I saw 99% of people who are released on their own recognizance show up for court, no problem. They took their cases very seriously. But when you have that 1%, those repeat offenders, mainly because of mental health issues, it’s a very, very bad thing. That the Legislature did not want to create new bail-eligible offenses really hurt us on Long Island. I think leadership is not going to be too happy with some of their DSA members likely to get elected.
I’ll also stand up to the far-left on Israel. I’m not happy with a lot of what Netanyahu is doing, but I think the rise in anti-semitism is a problem. I’m not opposed to Israel, but opposed to the Israeli government. I’ve had people on the left say they won’t support because I won’t call what Israel is doing to Palestine a “genocide.” Our tax dollars should stay in New York, but we still want to support our allies.
Governor Hochul (D) is more of a moderate like me. She’s not an extremist
Q: You lived in the City up until recently. How do voters know you identify with their way of life and can work for them?
A: I lived in Manhattan a year before I ran for State Senate (2023) since I was an administrative law judge in Brooklyn. I had to resign to run for office and moved back to Northport. I was born in Huntington, graduated from Northport High School (‘99), spent my summers on Long Island while studying in D.C., worked for Congressman Steve Israel (D-Dix Hills), worked for the Suffolk D.A.’s office.
Q: What is your favorite quote, motto, or work ethic?
A: “It’s amazing what you can accomplish if you don’t worry about who gets the credit.” – Harry S. Truman
Q: How do you like to connect with your community and what do you do in your spare time?
A: I’ve met with some of the civic groups and chambers of commerce in my area. Knocking doors, I see the pendulum shifts from two years ago to now. The environment is totally different. People who thought Democrats are soft and weak now see the Trump Administration as cruel and corrupt. They love Long Island, they want to stay on Long Island, but they’re struggling to stay on Long Island.
I find it hard to turn my brain off. I enjoy going to the gym and trying new restaurants in the district, but I’m excited that once I’m elected, I’ll be able to accomplish a lot for this district.
The Messenger thanks Craig Herskowitz for his time for this interview.