Curran, Thomas Face Off for Assembly Seat

Lynbrook Mayor Brian Curran, the Republican candidate for the 14th Assembly District seat, will face off against Democratic candidate Dermond Thomas, a Valley Stream resident, in November for the state legislative position. Current Assemblyman Bob Barra (R-Lynbrook) is not seeking reelection at the end of his term.

Curran explained that his goals at the state level are very similar to those he had as the mayor of Lynbrook: curb spending, foster business growth and create jobs. As the mayor of Lynbrook, Curran implemented an across-the-board tax cut for all homeowners and businesses, and has been working to bring new stores to the village's downtown area.

"I believe, that much like [Lynbrook], you have to work on a consensus, but the one thing you can't do is compromise what you believe in," Curran said, speaking on how his experiences as mayor would help him as a member of the state Assembly. "Less government, smaller government and less spending, leads to greater opportunity."

For Thomas, running for public office is a new venture. If elected, Thomas said he would support small business growth and job-creation programs that would benefit Long Islanders. He also vowed to fight for Long Island schools to receive its fair share of state aid.

"I wanted to run for the Assembly because I think our state government needs to empower people," Thomas said. "We need to elect new leaders who would like to work toward that end."

Thomas currently practices law in the Manhattan office of Arnold & Porter, LLP and is also a member of the New York State Bar Association. He received a bachelor's degree in economics from Amherst College and a Juris Doctor at Columbia Law School. There, he served as an editor of the Columbia Journal of Environmental Law.

Curran, an attorney at a private practice, is married with three children. He graduated Wilkes University with a degree in history and political science, and earned a law degree at the City University of New York. He also served as a legislative counsel in the state Assembly. 

The 14th Assembly District encompasses Valley Stream, Lynbrook, Rockville Centre, South Hempstead and portions of Baldwin, Oceanside, East Rockaway, and Malverne.

The election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 2.