The Great Neck Democratic Club will hold a debate on May 17 for the public to hear the stances and opinions of the five candidates seeking the Democratic nomination to run for outgoing U.S. Rep. Steve Israel’s Third Congressional District seat.
“The debate is open to the public at no charge and all are invited,” said Steven Markowitz, president of the Great Neck Democratic Club. “This will be an excellent opportunity to hear directly from the candidates and to compare their stands on the issues. There will be an opportunity for the audience to submit questions to the candidates.”
Beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Great Neck House, the public will be able to ask questions to the candidates running in the June 28 primary, who include former North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman, former Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, Suffolk County Legislator Steve Stern, North Hempstead Town Councilwoman Anna Kaplan and attorney Jonathan Clarke.
Israel announced he would step down from his seat representing the Third Congressional District at the end of his term in November.
The Third Congressional District stretches from Whitestone, Queens, to Kings Park in Suffolk County.
Great Neck Democratic Club officials said former Newsday columnist and television pundit Larry Levy will moderate the debate.
The five candidates have spent the last few months fundraising and vying for the endorsements from political operatives in the district.
Last week, Israel held a press conference at North Hempstead Beach Park in Port Washington to announce his endorsement of Stern.
Two weeks ago, Port Washington business-owners and philanthropists Laurie and Martin Scheinman gave their backing to Stern for the Democratic nomination.
The Scheinmans’ endorsement was the first from Nassau County for Stern, the only Suffolk County candidate for the district, with other endorsements coming from Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, Hunting Town Supervisor Frank Petrone and the Huntington Town Democratic Club.
Kaiman has official support from all three counties, including endorsements from former U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman and Great Neck public relations executive Robert Zimmerman, who also once weighed a bid for the Third District.
North Hempstead Town Board members Peter Zuckerman and Lee Seeman and former Councilman Tony D’Urso — now one of three Democrats seeking to replace state Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel (D-Great Neck) — have also backed Kaiman.
Kaplan has received endorsements from various community leaders in North Hempstead.
Suozzi received an endorsement from Queens Borough President Melinda Katz two months ago.
State Sen. Jack Martins of Old Westbury, is seeking the Republican nomination for the Third District seat.
He had been opposed for the Republican nomination by Glen Cove financial investigator Philip Pidot, but the state Board of Elections ruled last week that he did not file enough petition signatures to qualify for the June 28 primary.
Great Neck Democratic Club officials said following the May 17 debate, there will be a straw poll of members in “good standing” with the club to vote for which candidate they preferred.
Democratic Club officials said the purpose of the vote was to “gain a sense of the community’s preference.”
The Great Neck House is located at 14 Arrandale Avenue.
