James D. Kennedy

BACKGROUND

• Kennedy, 53, of Massapequa, a registered Republican, was first elected to the 12th Legislative District in a special election in 2015 and is seeking reelection to his sixth term. He is running on the Republican and Conservative Party Lines. 
• Kennedy has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fordham University, James also holds a Master of Fine Arts from Brooklyn College of the City University of New York and a Master of Science in Childhood Education from the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University.
• He previously worked as a fifth-grade teacher at Holy Child Academy and he coaches sports and teaches religion classes at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church.

ISSUES

• He said he is focused on holding the line on taxes and providing tax relief and maintaining local zoning control.

• Kennedy supports investing in the Nassau County Police Department, increasing patrols and partnering with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to target criminal offenders.

• He has worked to address quality of life issues and help fight drug problems on Long Island, including fentanyl use, by hosting Narcan training forums and drug disposal events in Massapequa.