Hempstead’s town supervisor race has two new faces.
After Republican incumbent Donald Clavin, who is in his third term as supervisor, declined the Nassau County Republican Party’s nomination before Monday’s 5 p.m. deadline to accept it, the party put forth Nassau County Legislator John Ferretti as their new candidate on April 10.
“When you decide to run for elected office, you do it because you want to make a difference in people’s lives,” said Ferretti, who is in his fourth term representing the 15th district county legislative district, which includes his hometown of Levittown, at a candidacy announcement event on Thursday. “What better opportunity to do that than to run for supervisor of America’s largest township.”
He named his priorities as controlling taxes, public safety, and enhancing local services.
Clavin thanked Hempstead residents for their support during his time as supervisor and receiver of taxes while speaking on his intent to run for a Nassau County judge seat at Thursday’s announcement event.
Democrat Justin Brown also declined his party’s nomination for Town of Hempstead supervisor on Monday. The party announced that 47-year-old Garden City resident and first-time candidate Joseph Scianablo will run in Brown’s place on April 9.
“I didn’t want to sit idly by in lieu of the recent political climate here,” Scianablo said.
Scianablo said he has recently gotten involved in the political scene by volunteering with local Democratic clubs in Hempstead.
Scianablo criticized Clavin’s recent 12.1% Hempstead property tax increase, saying that if elected, he would focus on financial transparency, infrastructure, public safety and trust initiatives.
“On day one, I’m going to initiate a full audit of the town’s finances and departments because transparency is non-negotiable for me,” Scianablo said. “I’m also going to start building a task force to tackle the crumbling infrastructure, especially in the underserved neighborhoods in the town of Hempstead that have been neglected for far too long.”
“I want to bring together law enforcement and local leaders to have a better Hempstead for all, not just the politically connected,” he added.
Scianablo is a former U.S. Marine, NYPD officer and Queens Assistant District Attorney. He served in Iraq in 2003 and on Queens’ 103rd and 105th precincts between 2004 and 2011 before seeking a law degree at Hofstra University after an on-the-job injury medically retired him.
He specialized in domestic violence cases in the NYPD and said he was motivated to work with the Queen’s DA because wanted to give survivors a voice in the courtroom.
“I’ve led as a Marine combat veteran, a New York City police officer and in a courtroom for victims and survivors. I’m ready to start leading the town of Hempstead as their supervisor,” said Scianablo, who was born in Floral Park and has lived in Garden City with his six-year-old son, 18-year-old daughter, and wife, Jericho Middle School assistant principal Sara Ballute-Scianablo, since 2015.
Ferretti touted his experience as an attorney who has worked with Hempstead’s town code, his time working with the county clerk to oversee a large budget and staff and a strong supporter of the Nassau County Police Department while standing next to his wife, daughter, and son who had come to his announcement event to support him.
He also spoke to his record as a legislator who has never voted for a tax increase, has supported the Fairness for Women and Girls in Sports local law, which prevents transgender women from competing with cisgender women in school sporting events and co-sponsored the Mask Transparency Act, a bill was motivated by pro-Palestinian protests, which prohibits people from wearing a mask to conceal their identity.
“In government, I have both administrative and legislative experience,” he said. “I’m ready to hit the ground running if I’m elected.”
“This is someone who is a proven tax fighter, someone who helped make Nassau County the safest county in the United States, someone who has fought antisemitism and hate in general, someone who is involved in the community and a lifelong resident of the Town of Hempstead,” said Cairo of Ferretti at the announcement event.
Nassau County Democratic Party chair Jay Jacobs spoke highly of Scianablo’s non-traditional experience.
“Joe Scianablo is exactly the kind of leader Hempstead needs right now,” Jacobs said in a statement. “His courage, character, and deep commitment to public service make him the right candidate to take on the status quo. Joe has spent his life protecting others—he’ll bring that same fierce dedication to fighting for every family in Hempstead.”
A published report said that Jacobs cross-endorsed Clavin for the judge seat, though Jacobs’ office did not confirm the endorsement to Schneps Media LI.
The Hempstead town supervisor election will be held on Nov. 4.
