STATE SENATE

Kenneth LaValle

Kenneth LaValle (R, C, I, Reform) of Port Jefferson was first elected to the state Senate in 1976 and had previously been a school teacher and administrator.

Mr. LaValle, 79, also obtained a law degree during his time in office, and has served as chair of the Senate committee on higher education since 1979.

The stadium at Stony Brook University and the campus at Eastport-South Manor High School are both named after Mr. LaValle.

He is one of the longest-serving members of the state Senate.

Mr. LaValle has listed among his accomplishments the Stony Brook incubator at Calverton, the Pine Barrens Preservation Act of 1993 and the development of the STAR program, which aims to reduce property taxes for residents.

Greg Fischer

Greg Fischer (D) of Calverton has said he holds degrees in business, finance and economics and has 35 years of consulting experience.

He is a volunteer consultant for the Service Corps of Retired Executives, under the U.S. Small Business Administration, which helps people start and retain small businesses.

He feels the state has a problem with spending too much money and that major economic development plans like Mag-Lev technology can revive the state’s economy.

Mr. Fischer, 62, has run for numerous elected offices at the state, town and school district level but has yet to win one.

He ran unsuccessfully against Mr. LaValle two years ago.