Final Pitch: Englebright v. McKee

Since Election Day is Tuesday, Port Jefferson Patch is giving the candidates for the Fourth Assembly District the chance to make their elevator pitches for local votes. They each get 250 words, give or take a few, to make their best argument for why they'd be best suited to stay in charge or take over the reins from the incumbent.

Incumbent: Steve Englebright, D-Setauket

Those who are elected are going to guide the history of the state. I hope to be a part of that going forward. I'm asking people to take a look at my record. I think that's what this community is best served by, an advocate.

I stand for those things that define our quality of life and our sense of optimism for the future. I'm one of the strongest environmentalists in the legislature and I believe in protecting the health of our children and our families, and have passed numerous laws to protect our children.

I've also fought for protection of jobs. I voted no on the program that the governor put forward to reduce the job-creating Empire Zone program. He cut it from $550 million to $50 million, a 90 percent reduction. I voted no. I voted no on the MTA payroll tax, a job-killing, unfair, disproportionately-applied tax. ... Certainly when you take a look at my record, I am standing up for the people who sent me there and I will continue to do so if I am re-elected.

I am a fighter by nature, an advocate by instinct, and I care deeply about the quality of life of our community. Look at my record, and you'll see it.

Challenger: Deborah McKee, R-Mount Sinai

I'm getting a very good reponse out there. The message is consistent: people can't afford to live here anymore, and they're scared.

I'm running this race because I believe in fighting for my home. I want to be able to stay here. I've been a 30-year resident of Mount Sinai. I want them to be able to find jobs here and raise families here. I'm not just speaking for me, I'm speaking for everyone around me.

My opponent has voted with the city democrats over 96 percent of the time. That's where our money's going. We send it up to Albany and it doesn't come back to us. We need the money out here. ... We're working people. When you send someone to an assembly or senate seat, you're trusting them with your vote that they're going to fight for you. They're going to fight to bring the resources back to their assembly district, and it's not happening.

I will work with suburban leaders to bring down the cost of living here on Long Island. I'm in favor of capping taxes from top to bottom just as a start. I'm not in favor of new taxes. ... I will support small business. That's where your jobs come from.