John J. Flanagan

John J. Flanagan

Republican

BACKGROUND: Flanagan, 57, grew up in Huntington and lives in East Northport. He received his bachelor’s degree in economics from the College of William and Mary in Virginia in 1983 and his law degree from Touro Law School in 1990. He is seeking his ninth term in the Senate — he was first elected to state Senate in 2002 and was elected temporary president and majority leader of the Senate in 2015. He previously served 16 years in the state Assembly.  Flanagan is running on the Republican, Conservative, Independence and Reform party lines.

ISSUES: Flanagan said his record in the Senate shows that he has "maintained an overarching view and protection of the taxpayer, and limited state spending while making strong investments" in education, transportation projects and water quality. He said combating opioid addiction, promoting job growth and economic development would be priorities if he's re-elected. Though Flanagan has recently criticized the New York State United Teachers for campaigning to end Republican control of the Senate, he said he was still an advocate for education. "We're not always in agreement with the teachers union but we always support teachers," he said. "My primary concern is the student, and in concert with that the parents — then what are we doing to help teachers to have facilities they need, the resources they need, and we help promote their professional development." Job growth is the key to better funding education instead of tax hikes, Flanagan said. "So here's my equation: you help create jobs, you generate revenue for the state .?.?. and you have the resources to provide money to local districts so there's less pressure on the local property taxes." He also vowed to continue to work to increase organ donor registration and Lyme disease awareness efforts.