John Panicola: Huntington Town Board Candidate

Two weeks ago I profiled a "Suffolk County GOP Rising Star."

John Panicola is not your typical politician however, and is not your conventional Republican.

A Marine, bartender and current Adelphi student, Panicola got involved because he feels that politics shouldn't have such a significant divide between generations and that a new voice can aid in improving the town's politics.

"At times party seems to take precedent over the issues," said John Panicola. "I'm looking for votes because I'm trying to get involved with the youth, the disenfranchised, or those never involved in the political scheme."

Registered as an Independent until his recent courting with the GOP, Panicola has a blend of both Conservative and Progressive values that makes him a unique hybrid that could sit well on either side of the aisle depending on the issue.

On the Town Board there are four Democrats and one Republican.

 The Working Families Party, a center-left leaning third party could serve as a perfect fit for the young veteran and his aforementioned hybrid politics.

"They stand for workers rights, veterans benefits, affordable housing, equality and a lot of the things that are needed in the Town of Huntington" said Panicola. "To switch my affiliation is a possibility, to either a Democrat or the Working Families Party line itself."

Keep in mind the vast economic and social differences that range across Huntington's over 200 Thousand residents; Panicola is pushing to bridge the gap across an economically diverse community to make housing affordable for families across the spectrum.

To prove his loyalty and validate his intentions to his community Panicola also is a proponent of term limits.

Often in local politics the incumbent sits near unbeatable at election time and they eventually hold elected power in local communities for decades at a time.

Term limits should inspire individuals in our communities to get more involved to keep new blood to constantly flowing through the town and village halls of Long Island.

"With a collective mindset and the right bi-partisanship we can definitely come to a common ground to serve everyone," said Panicola.

Hopefully this can serve as a spark not just in Huntington, but across the Long Island within both political parties in the upcoming election season.

Suffolk County GOP Rising Star

In the absence of political leadership the same old political process has once again left us unsatisfied and disillusioned. At times like this it is the responsibility of those who can to stand up and lead. Conventional politicians have served for years and even our local representatives play the same old politics that we complain about in Washington.


As the candidates, policies and representatives in many cases remain detached from the young voters that they so long to herd off to vote in oft low turnout elections that are consistently right down to the wire.  


John Panicola's candidacy is one new voice for generations of Long Islanders and particularly his hometown Huntington residents.


 "20- to 30-somethings see the same names on the ballot year after year and have become disenfranchised from local government,"said Panicola. "It's seems to keep them from potentially becoming involved and shaping the community for themselves."


The 33 year old former Marine, Panicola is considerably frustrated with the same old politics and the lack of leadership. Currently working as a bartender as well as an Adelphi University student; Panicola is in the thick of discussion between both students by day and the common man at night. His down to earth personality along with his innate leadership and first class USMC training serves as a strong resume that does lack any previous political service.


The Republican candidate may be one of the old men on the Adelphi campus, but on the contrary sees his candidacy as part of a youth movement in Long Island politics. Running for Town Board in Huntington this upcoming election, Panicola is truly an inspiring American story that will be closely followed by this blog.



Check in on the blog soon for updates on John Panicola and his candidacy including a more in depth profile, interview and some audio/visual first hand material! 

Suffolk County Exec Stepping Down

Steve Levy has served for two terms as the Suffolk County Executive. He has been the leader of the County Republican party and he had been widely expected to run for and be elected to a third term. He had already raised around $ 4 Million for the upcoming election and there seemed to be nothing or no one who could get in his way.

However, last week that officially changed.

Levy had been marred for nearly 16 months with an investigation into his finances from the District Attorney Thomas Spota. Details of which have remained relatively under wraps, but nevertheless speculation has ensued. This speculation came to ahead on March 31st with official announcements from both Levy and Spota.

A deal has been reached between Levy and Spota that seemed to many much like a "plea bargain."
Levy would be allowed to complete his term and further investigation into his fundraising would cease.

In turn, Levy would then step down at the end of his term and not run for public office in the next election. The $ 4 million in his campaign coffers would also be turned over to the DA.

The reason for allowing him to finish his term has a great deal to do with Levy's strong record and the instability that an investigation and a possible interim County Exec would bring to these already harsh economic times. With his experience and good work over the past two terms it was decided best for all parties and the county as a whole to cut this unconventional deal.

                       (Photo Courtesy of Stevy Levy's County Executive Website)

Republicans have mixed feelings on the matter. Their leader has been exposed as engaging in less than admirable financing, but this does not reflect the actions of the party as a whole. Regardless of the indiscretion, the Republican party does not look to suffer much, if at all from this incident.

What will suffer?

The legacy of County Executive Steve Levy and the $4 million that his supporters had already pledged for the next election season.