Journalist vs. Chemist: Avlon and Goroff Square Off in Suffolk County Congressional Primary Race

Among the New York races catching the attention of political pundits this Primary Day is the one between the journalist and the chemist.

On Long Island, Democrats John Avlon and Nancy Goroff are competing to determine who will challenge Republican Rep. Nick LaLota in November for the state’s 1st Congressional District, which represents the eastern two-thirds of Suffolk County.

The 51-year-old Avlon is a former political analyst at CNN who previously served as a columnist and associate editor for The New York Sun. He was also the chief speechwriter for former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Since announcing his run in February, Avlon has vowed to defend abortion rights at the federal level in the wake of the Supreme Court overturning the constitutional right to abortion in 2022. He has emphasized the need to address the affordability crisis by increasing the Child Tax Credit and has proposed more investments in climate change mitigation and water quality protection in Suffolk County.

Avlon has also called for Congressional action to address gun violence. His proposals include implementing violent history checks before all gun purchases, restoring the assault weapons ban, and cracking down on untraceable “ghost” guns.

56-year-old Nancy Goroff is a retired chemistry professor at Stony Brook University, where she also served as chair of the school's chemistry department. Although she previously ran for the House in 2020 and lost to Republican incumbent Lee Zeldin in the general election, she remains committed to her legislative priorities.

One of Goroff's key focuses, if elected, is defending abortion and women's rights. She advocates for a law that guarantees the right to an abortion nationwide. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of supporting child and elder care, as well as advocating for paid family leave.

Furthermore, Goroff aims to address economic disparities by increasing the federal minimum wage and expanding the affordable housing tax credit. She also emphasizes the need for investments in infrastructure and protections for Social Security and Medicare. These priorities reflect her commitment to creating a more equitable society.

In addition to her other priorities, Nancy Goroff is a strong advocate for providing a pathway to citizenship for "DREAMers" - non-citizens who have grown up in the United States. She believes that these individuals deserve the opportunity to fully contribute to the country they consider their home.

Goroff also expresses her support for the Equality Act, a legislation that aims to grant more federal protections to members of the LGBT community. She believes in the importance of ensuring equal rights and opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

These stances reflect Goroff's commitment to inclusivity and equality, as she strives to create a society where everyone can thrive and be treated with dignity and respect.

Thank you for sharing the information about the polling places. It is important for everyone to exercise their right to vote. For more details on the specific polling locations and other relevant information, you can visit the New York State Board of Elections website. They will provide you with all the necessary information to ensure that you can participate in the democratic process on Tuesday, June 25.

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