Kennedy Wins Re-Election to Suffolk Legislature

Republican incumbent John Kennedy won his bid for re-election to Suffolk County Legislature's 12th District by a landslide over Democratic challenger Martin Aponte.

Kennedy won 73 percent of the vote, 8,306 votes to 2,967 votes, over Aponte, according to results posted by Suffolk County's Board of Elections. 

"It was a great experience running for office. I got to meet a lot of constituents in the area," Aponte said, reflecting on his first campaign for political office. "I can't wait. I look foward to working with John over the next year years on a lot of programs."

Kennedy will start his fourth complete term as a Suffolk County legislator after taking the seat in a special election in 2004.

Kennedy, a Nesconset resident, was first elected to the Suffolk County Legislature in November 2004, receiving more than 60 percent of the vote. He has since served as chairman of the Veterans & Seniors Committee as well as vice-chairman of the Ways & Means Committee. In 2011, Kennedy was elected as the minority leader of the Suffolk County Legislature.

In an interview with the Times of Smithown, Kennedy said key issues that need to be addressed are ensuring the safety of pedestrians on Smithtown Main Street and attracting new businesses to the area. 

As for Aponte, the Democratic challenger, said he won't be going anywhere.

"I certainly will be involved in politics from this point on. I hope to follow up on the issues promised by Kennedy in his campaign," he said. 

Aponte is the Hauppauge zone leader for the Smithtown Democratic Committee and will continue to work side-by-side with Kennedy on the 9/11 Responders Remembered committee, which unveiled a memorial for first responders killed in the 9/11 attacks this September in Nesconset.