By Kirstyn BrendlenSTAFF WRITER
Acting District Attorney Madeline Singas and Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray went head-to-head at the 2015 District Attorney Debate on Wednesday night, hosted by the Maurice A. Deane School of Law in conjunction with the political science department and the League of Women Voters of Nassau County.
Singas, a Democrat, and Murray, a Republican, debated for about two hours in Koppelman Hall in front of 200 people, as well as two overflow rooms that held about 80 additional viewers. Undergraduates and student volunteers from the law school collected questions from viewers both before and during the debate in preparation for the election on Nov. 3.
The candidates answered questions on controlling the recent surge in heroin use on Long Island, gun control in Nassau County, and raising the age of prosecution for nonviolent crimes. One of the first questions asked was, “Are college campuses doing enough to punish attackers and support victims [of sex crimes]?” They also discussed underage drinking in the wake of the recent arrest of 16 Hempstead bartenders.
Dr. Rosanna Perotti, chair of the political science department, estimated that there were between 50 and 60 students in attendance to the debate, not including the volunteers.
“We host these debates for student benefit and also because we have an ongoing relationship with the community,” Perotti said. The League of Women Voters is happy to have this mix of students, faculty and community we have at Hofstra.”
The League of Women Voters of Nassau County is a nonpartisan group that encourages informed involvement in government. The League allows voters easy access to information about voting, especially in small local elections, and holds events like open forums and debates between candidates when they can, though both candidates must agree to a debate before it can be held. If one or both of the candidates do not wish to debate, one cannot be held.
“We want students to be exposed to candidates and issues in a local election,” Perotti said, who attended the debate and spoke to students in both of the overflow rooms. “Too often we’re focused on the national institutions in studying politics. Many of our students go on to work in local politics, in local administrations, so this is a good first exposure for them.”
Becky Marks, a sophomore political science major, felt this event was helpful for the Hofstra community. “It was very beneficial,” Marks said. “Just because there were a lot of students here, so I think it’s really great to spread this awareness of who’s running and what they stand for … this is a good opportunity for students to actually come out and see them in person.”
Nassau County’s district attorney is the highest-ranking elected judicial official in the county, prosecuting criminals under Nassau County and New York State law. Madeline Singas has held the role since January, though she entered the field in 2001 by joining the Queens District Attorney’s Office. Singas has been endorsed by Newsday and the New York Times.
Her opponent, Kate Murray, has been Hempstead Town Supervisor since 2003, prior to which she was the first woman elected to the New York State Assembly in 1998. Murray, a Republican, has been endorsed by former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani.
“Many of the undergraduate students aspire to study law,” Perotti said. “And then when they’re there at the debate, it turns out to be really fun and interesting. It’s one thing to watch on C-SPAN, to watch a formal debate. It’s quite another to see the candidates and all their entourage behind the scenes … it’s really invaluable.”
“I came because I was interested in seeing the candidates, hearing what they wanted to say,” Marks said. “I really didn’t think there was a winner, I think they both brought up really good points, and I learned a lot more about each of them.”
Nassau County general elections will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3, and will include several county and regional positions in addition to district attorney.