Thursday, April 18, 2024 ~ Volume 69 ~ Issue Number 20 ~ $1.00
MESSENGER EXCLUSIVE Avlon’s Manhattan Residency Raises Concerns for Suffolk Congressional Bid By Matt Meduri New York’s First Congressional (NY-01) is one of the largest congressional districts in the nation by population and is an economic powerhouse for New York State and the northeast region of the country. The district, while fundamentally Republican leaning, has been at all ends of the competitive table in recent elections. Because of its outsized importance in congressional politics, and the influence it can give its representative, NY-01 has witnessed successive election cycles marked by candidates who lack substantial ties to the district and its residents yet seek to represent them. In 2018, Perry Gershon (D) challenged then-Congressman Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) for the seat. Zeldin, lifelong Suffolk resident, was running for a third term against Gershon, whose New York City residence earned him the moniker “Park Avenue Perry.” Despite the national Democratic year and the GOP losing three House seats in New York, Zeldin outperformed the national average and was re-elected by about four points. In 2022, the Republican primary featured Michelle Bond, a cryptocurrency magnate who had big money behind her and big names stumping for her in NY-01. The Messenger filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request and found that her registered voting addresses were in Potomac, Maryland. She was squarely defeated in the primary by now-Congressman Nick LaLota (R). Continued on page 3
Avlon outside his NYC home on April 6.
Historic Davis House Reopens After Years-Long Renovations By Matt Meduri
Credit - Matt Meduri
FULL STORIES ON:
LI Senators Address Panico Named Touro Jake’s 58 Breaks Budget Needs Law Elected of the Year Ground on Expansion Page 5
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Long Island is known for its rich history that dates back to the Colonial Era and the American Revolution. The Battle of Long Island, fought in 1776, was the first major battle of the Revolutionary War after the United States declared their independence from Great Britain on July 4. The Culper Spy Ring was a network of George Washington’s spies, one of whose headquarters was located in Setauket. The Battle of Sag Harbor saw separatists raid the British port in a crucial victory for American independence. All across Suffolk County, especially on the north shore, residents can enrich themselves in local history with national perspectives. With such timeless treasures comes the monumental task of preserving, restoring, and maintaining buildings, property, records, and other artifacts and memorabilia. Continued on page 10