Jarett C. Gandolfo for State Senate District 8

When Alexis Weik announced last year that she would not seek reelection, it opened the door for the 8th State Senate District to gain attentive and thoughtful representation.

Residents have a choice between two energetic and engaged candidates: Sayville Republican Jarett C. Gandolfo, 36, and Massapequa Democrat Joshua James Taveras, 26.

Gandolfo is the more familiar name to a significant swath of the district, as he has served as its Assembly member for nearly six years. That experience has provided him with the granular knowledge of how Albany works and how to best meet his coastal district's needs. Gandolfo noted that the Republican caucus has played a significant role in pushing through key legislation that otherwise might not be passed, raising as an example the volunteer firefighter tax credits that the legislature approved this year. That wouldn't have happened, Gandolfo said, without Republicans bringing a motion to discharge to force a vote and eventually reach a compromise.

As a father of two young children, Gandolfo is particularly passionate about the expense of childcare, suggesting a tax credit that could reimburse families as much as 50% of the cost. And he's also able and willing to spotlight and take on the issues his district grapples with, such as the lack of sewer infrastructure and the generations-long battle to remake the Oakdale Merge.

Taveras' story is meaningful. He is the child of Dominican immigrants who struggled to make ends meet, and he found himself under an aunt's care after his mother became ill and his father died. He emphasizes the issues many of his constituents worry about, from housing to job opportunities. Taveras, who now manages two retail stores, said the state should better address the impact of artificial intelligence by investing in protecting existing jobs and establishing new training and employment possibilities for those whose jobs become obsolete. Taveras suggests further incentives to encourage zoning changes to permit more affordable housing construction, while also making sure developers are held to state standards that require them to build a certain percentage of affordable housing when constructing larger developments. Taveras' voice is an important one.

But Gandolfo is better prepared to represent the 8th District in Albany. He should use his new perch to prioritize childcare issues and make every effort to push for progress at the Oakdale Merge.

Newsday Opinion endorses Gandolfo.