Shown at the fundraiser are, left to right, Babylon Town Supervisor Steve Bellone, Wayne Horsley, S.C. Exec. Steve Levy and S.C. Leg. Elie Mystal.

by Carolyn James

Babylon Town Councilman Wayne Horsley, who announced that he is running for the seat currently held by S.C. Leg. David Bishop got a little help from his friends recently. The Babylon Village resident held a kickoff fundraiser that was attended by approximately 175 supporters, including S.C. Exec. Steve Levy.

Horsley, a Democrat, squares off against Republican Robert Pflaum, a Suffolk County Police Detective.

Levy told the crowd that this was a very important election year as five seats in the legislature, including Bishop’s, are vacant as a result of term limits. The vacancies provide a perfect opportunity for Democrats to swing the majority in their favor.

"I have known Wayne for a long time and I have been impressed with his hard work as a Town Councilman and volunteer in his community," said Levy. "We need him in the legislature."

Standing amidst supporters at the Carriage House in Babylon Village, Horsley thanked Levy for his support and took time to greet those who attended the luncheon fundraiser. Later, he discussed the upcoming election in November, saying he was delighted to have been tapped by his part to run for Bishop’s seat.

"We have a wonderful opportunity to add to our numbers in the legislature," said Horsley. Currently, the Republicans hold the majority, 11 to 7. "And I am going to run for this seat the way I run every campaign which is to take nothing for granted and be very aggressive, attending local events and knocking on doors throughout the district."

In many ways that’s no different than the way he has served as a Councilman, he said. "I am out almost every night and on weekends, working in the community," said Horsley.

If elected, Horsley said that he would continue to focus on many of the issues that Bishop considered priority—support and funding for local groups and organizations and protecting the environment. But, he added that he’d also like to bring some of the experience he has gained in the Town working to bring and expand businesses in Babylon.

"There is nothing more important to an individual than good paying jobs," said Horsley. "That is the basis for good families, schools and lower taxes and I’d like to work on that in the county."

During the years he has served as a Councilman in Babylon, Horsley had worked closely with dozens of businesses through the Town’s Industrial Development Agency bring high paying jobs to Babylon. He fought against a BJ’s Wholesale store in East Farmingdale at a site that now houses a biotechnical firm, Icon Laboratories.

Babylon Town Democratic leader Robert Stricoff said Horsley’s fundraiser was very successful and represented one of the largest ever held for a candidate announcing his candidacy for a county post.

"I believe that people know Wayne will make a great legislator and recognize that this election is very important because it gives Democrats an opportunity to gain the majority and help (S.C. Exec. Steve) Levy get his programs through.