By Hank Russell
Two Democratic candidates have announced that they will challenge two Republican incumbents for the posts of town supervisor in the November elections.
Joe Scianablo and Sean McCarthy will run for Hempstead and North Hempstead town supervisor, respectively. Scianablo will take on John Ferretti, while McCarthy will challenge Jennifer DeSena.
Both candidates have law enforcement and military backgrounds. Scianablo is a Marine combat veteran, a retired NYPD officer, and a former Queens prosecutor. McCarthy, a lifelong North Hempstead resident, is a 33-year veteran of law enforcement and a current police commissioner of the Port Washington Police District. Before being elected commissioner, he served as commanding officer in both the Third and Sixth Precincts of the Nassau County Police Department.
In addition, McCarthy sits on the Board of Directors of the North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center and is President of the Viking Sports Foundation, which offers scholarships and supports high school athletics in Port Washington.
“Public service is in my blood,” said McCarthy. “It is an honor and a privilege to have spent my entire adult life bringing that passion to law enforcement. My career is a reflection of simple principles that have guided me: Responsibility, Respect and Communication. I will listen to every resident’s concerns to provide fair and even-handed access to services.”
McCarthy said his experience leading police precincts taught him the importance of government being equitable to all.
“My experience as a commanding officer speaking with village leaders, civic associations, school districts, community groups and business owners gives me an unfiltered perspective on the issues facing our town,” he said. “This isn’t about politics, it’s about getting things done. Let’s use this opportunity together to efficiently fix our infrastructure, expand services for our aging population and provide more opportunities to the business community by streamlining codes and regulations.”
Scianablo, who ran against Ferretti last year and lost, said he is running again because “the people of the Town of Hempstead deserve a government that works for them, not for a handful of insiders. What we uncovered was only the beginning and makes it clear there is still more that needs to be brought into the open. The people are paying attention, and I’m not backing down.”
Scianablo’s campaign is centered around the banner of “No Community Left Behind.” Under that banner, he is pledging to run a town government that serves every neighborhood equitably, not just those with political connections. As supervisor, he said, he will bring fairness, transparency, and results back to local government.
“Whether you live in one of the town’s most affluent neighborhoods or one that’s been ignored for years, you deserve the same level of service, the same respect, and the same value for your tax dollars,” Scianablo said.:
He also said he will cut inflated fees, lower water costs, and fix the systems residents rely on. “We are going to put your money back to work for you,” he said.
Scianablo also said that Ferretti’s early political mailers and commercials show a lack of real results. “John Ferretti is sending out mailers because he doesn’t have a record he can defend,” Scianablo said. “He’s taking credit for things he didn’t do and distorting the facts. That’s going to stop. We will hold him accountable to the truth every step of the way.”
He added that he knows the campaign ahead will be difficult, but he is prepared. “I’ve taken on tough fights my entire life,” he said. “This is no different. We know there is a lot more to fix and that needs to be brought into the open, and we are ready.”
New York State and Nassau County Democratic Chairman Jay S. Jacobs endorsed Scianablo’s campaign. “As a Marine, retired NYPD, and former prosecutor, Joe Scianablo represents the very best of public service,” he said. “He has dedicated his life to protecting others – in uniform, in law enforcement, and in the courtroom and he brings that same integrity and commitment to this campaign. He took on Town Hall in 2025, and he’s ready to do it again. Joe has the courage to tell the truth, the experience to lead, and the determination to deliver real results for the people of Hempstead. He’s the leader Hempstead needs to move forward.”
Jacobs also praised McCarthy and his candidacy. “As a police commissioner, Sean McCarthy is exactly the kind of leader our towns need, someone who has spent his career protecting people, managing complex operations and earning the trust of the communities he serves,” he said. “He brings integrity, experience and real-world leadership to this race and I am proud to support him for North Hempstead Supervisor.”
Long Island Life & Politics reached out to the Nassau GOP Committee for comment, but did not hear back as of press time.