The Citizens Union has an interesting report timed to coincide with state special elections, including today's balloting in Nassau to replace former Assemb. Thomas DiNapoli and former Legis. Craig Johnson.
The essential point is that the process for filling vacancies receives little attention and draws very low turnout to the polls, but often means virtually permanent incumbency for the victor, with so few state legislators unseated by voters.
Nearly a third of the state's 212 legislators first won office through special elections, notes the report, titled "Circumventing Democracy."
In fact, a striking two-thirds of Long Island's Assembly delegation, or 14 of 21 current members, first won their seats in specials: Marc Alessi, Tom Alfano, Phil Boyle, James Conte, Steve Englebright, Ginny Fields, Earlene Hooper, David McDonough, Tom McKevitt, Joseph Saladino, Robert Sweeney, Fred Thiele, Rob Walker, and Harvey Weisenberg.
In the Senate, it's four out of the nine Long Islanders: Charles Fuschillo, Kemp Hannon, Craig Johnson and Carl Marcellino.
Dan Janison
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Did you think Mondello, Schaeffer and Jacobs were dummies? Apparently not.