Senator Jim Gaughran was sworn into office on Sunday, Jan. 6, by Governor Andrew Cuomo at the Engeman Theater in Northport, becoming the first Democrat to hold the New York State Senate’s 5th District seat in decades after flipping a seat held by 25-year incumbent Carl L. Marcellino.
Gaughran was joined by U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, Assemblyman Chuck Lavine, dozens of elected officials and hundreds of constituents in attendance.
“I am humbled and honored to represent our district in the State Senate,” said Gaughran. “I am excited for the opportunity to help end the dysfunction in Albany and finally pass critical legislation that New Yorkers have been demanding.”
Gaughran won the state senate seat on Nov. 6, 2018, winning with more than 68,000 votes. He began his career in public service as a councilman in the Town of Huntington in 1983, going on to serve as a Suffolk County Legislator, then chairperson of the Suffolk County Water Authority. Gaughran will be chair of the Local Government Committee. His senate district includes the northern parts of the Town of Oyster Bay and the Town of Huntington as well as the City of Glen Cove. His office is in Oyster Bay.
“I look forward to fighting for increased funding for our public schools and giving our communities relief from property taxes,” said Gaughran. “I grew up on Long Island and raised my family here, and one day I look to retire here. I ran for State Senate so that you could do the same for your family.”
