SEPTEMBER 7, 2007

GOP Incumbents Face Off in Primary Debate

By Rick Brand, Newsday

Smithtown Republicans' designated legislative candidate Vincent Trimarco repeatedly hammered incumbent Legis. John M. Kennedy Jr. last night for opposing bills aimed at illegal immigrants and sexual predators, in their first primary debate last night.

Kennedy, dumped as a candidate by his own party but waging a challenge in the Sept. 18 primary, called the measures "unconstitutional hogwash" that did nothing to protect local residents and touted his record of "real solutions" to constituents' problems.

More than 70 local residents listened to the two men in a 45-minute League of Women Voters debate at Nesaquake Middle School in St. James. Trimarco, a Hauppauge attorney, tried to keep to his theme, while Kennedy, a lawmaker since 2004 who also has the Democratic line, sought to display his knowledge of county government by detailing his work on a myriad of issues.

Trimarco said Kennedy's voting record "leaves a lot to be desired," later adding, "My office will not consult with the ACLU on everything that comes past my office." Kennedy, meanwhile, said that he had proposed solutions like increased funding for the probation department for electronic monitoring of sexual predators. "That's 24-7, 365 days a year," he said.

The lawmaker also criticized the anti-loitering bill aimed at illegal immigrants, saying the police already have the power under the vehicle and traffic laws to keep workers from blocking traffic in the street.

However, Trimarco said the courts, not legislators must determine the constitutionality of pending legislation.

"We both take oaths to uphold the constitution, and if it appears that legislation cannot pass muster, my job as a legislator is to say so," Kennedy said.

Copyright © 2007 Newsday Inc.