Rebecca Kassay

BACKGROUND

• Kassay, 35, of Port Jefferson, is running on the Democratic Party line in the general election. She has been a village trustee since 2020 and the deputy mayor since 2023. 
• Kassay was director of a youth volunteer program at Avalon Nature Preserve in Head of the Harbor from 2011 through 2017. She co-owns a bed-and-breakfast.
• She received a bachelor’s degree in 2010 from SUNY New Paltz, where she majored in environmental studies and communications.

ISSUES

• Kassay said that if elected she would focus on bringing more state dollars to the region to address affordable housing and child care costs, and seek more aid for infrastructure projects to stem flooding. 
• She wants to improve health care by increasing pensions to retain health care professionals and improving public access to care, including mental health programs.
• Kassay said she favors “closing any loopholes in the bail reform law” and addressing quality-of-life crimes. She also wants to crack down on illegal cannabis shops.