Ex-library prez to run for county Legislature

Weihua Yan files to oppose incumbent Mazi Pilip

BY ROBERT PELAEZ

Former Mineola Mayor Scott Strauss is seeking the seat held by outgoing Presiding Officer Rich Nicolello on the Nassau County Legislature, according to filings from the Nassau County Board of Elections.

Strauss, Northwell’s vice president of corporate security, is running on the Republican and Conservative lines against Democrat Neeraj Kumar. The winner will take control of the 9th Legislative District, currently held by Nicolello, who announced he would not be running for re-election earlier this year.

The 9th Legislative District includes New Hyde Park, Garden City Park, Mineola, Williston Park, Albertson, Roslyn Estates, Munsey Park and Plandome.

Strauss served four terms as Mineola’s mayor after first being elected to the position in 2010. He also held the reins in the village during the COVID-19 pandemic and other infrastructure achievements while minimally raising taxes on residents.

Throughout Strauss’s time, he has overseen part of the implementation of Mineola’s master plan, which began in 2004.

Park renovations, downtown streetscapes, paving, recently opened parking and four transit-oriented mixed-use buildings are among the improvements made to the village’s business district.

Immediate efforts to reach Strauss for comment were unavailing.

Former Great Neck Library President Weihua Yan is running on the Democratic line against incumbent 10th District Legislator Mazi Melesa Pilip.

Other incumbent legislators seeking re-election include Democrats Siela Bynoe, Carrie Solages, Debra Mule, Delia DeRiggi Whitton, Arnold Drucker and Josh Lafazan. Lafazan is also running for the state’s 3rd Congressional District’s 2024 election.

Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams (D-Freeport) announced last month he would not be running for re-election to the Legislature. Democrat Scott Davis and Republican Michael Lucchesi are running to fill his seat on the legisla-