Juan C. Vides

Juan C. Vides

Democratic 

BACKGROUND: Vides, 41, of Oceanside,  is running on the Democrat party line and is a computer programmer. Vides owns and operates a web design and internet marketing business in Oceanside. Vides was born in El Salvador and was brought to the United States by his parents at age four. He attended Long Beach Public Schools K-12 and is a 1995 graduate of Long Beach High School. Vides earned an associate degree in Liberal Arts from Nassau Community College, and a bachelor of science degree in computer programming from Farmingdale State College. He earned about 30 credits toward a master’s degree in marketing at Stony Brook University, but left school to start a business. He served from 2012 to 2018 on the board of the Long Island chapter of the American Heart Association, and from 2016 to 2018 was on the board of directors of the Bethpage Federal Credit Union. He also served on the board of the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Vides is married.

ISSUES: Vides said he’s seeking public office for the first time in part as a response to recent, high-profile government corruption scandals. “People are frustrated with politics and frustrated with their leaders, and a lot of empty promises,” Vides said. “We have a lot of representatives walking out of courthouses.” Vides said he has given up prestigious positions to run for the Assembly. “I served on two boards and on the boards of chambers of commerce, but I am willing to give everything up to become a public servant,” Vides said. He said, if elected, he would attempt to “restore faith and trust” in a political system he takes pride in being a part of. “I count my blessings every day that I am in this country,” Vides said. Vides said, however, that like many Americans he has been angered by federal immigration policy that has separated children from their parents. He said, “We have a responsibility to take care of the [immigrant] kids.”