Ari Brown puts safety first in 20th Assembly District re-election bid

Assemblyman Ari Brown, a Republican seeking re-election in the 20th Assembly District, told the Nassau Herald that public safety is his top local concern. Brown, 51, is a construction business owner who moved to Cedarhurst 35 years ago. He also serves as deputy mayor there and has sat on the village board for 27 years. In Albany he is the ranking minority member of the Local Governments Committee. He called the Nassau County Police Department "by far, the best police force anywhere in the country."

Brown, who describes himself as the first Orthodox Jewish Republican assemblyman, said combating antisemitism is central to his platform and that he has introduced nine bills on the issue. He said he hears regularly from constituents about health care and affordability. He described residents reporting electric bills of $1,000 to $1,200 a month, which he said is especially hard for seniors and young families. He said he wants the state to address costs so residents can afford to stay on Long Island.

Brown said he supports transit-oriented development if projects are carefully studied and designed. He also said he canvasses every house on a block, not only Republican households. The paper's report did not say what specific legislation Brown would pursue on electricity rates or whether any opponent has been named in the race.