Earlene Hooper

Earlene Hooper

Democratic

BACKGROUND: Hooper, 79, of Hempstead, is running on the Democratic Party line in a primary for her 16th term in the state Assembly, where she serves as deputy speaker. She has represented the district since March 1988 when she was first elected in a special election. She is a former state social worker and former executive board member of the Public Employees Federation. She has a bachelor's degree in English from Norfolk State University in Virginia and a master's degree in social work from Adelphi University.

ISSUES: Hooper did not respond to requests for comment. She has previously said she supports minority small businesses and equality for women. She has advocated for reducing property taxes and awarding communities a share of Nassau County’s sales tax revenue based on population. The Nassau County Democratic Committee chose to endorse her opponent after Hooper compared party chairman Jay Jacobs to a plantation owner and used racially charged statements against her opponent.