Brian Beedenbender, Candidate Running for Brookhaven Town Supervisor

Name: Brian Beedenbender

Hometown: Centereach

Party: Democrat

Bio: Beedenbender has served in the Suffolk County legislator, having won the 2007 election at the age of 27. As a county legislator he voted to freeze taxes, initiated legislation to make government operations more transparent, and sponsored legislation requiring ethics training for all elected officials and appointees in the Suffolk County government.

Since January 2010 Beedenbender has served as the Brookhaven supervisor's chief of staff, where he oversees 1,400 employees and a $270 million budget. In Brookhaven, he supported freezing taxes, authored the town's debt management cap, and served as chief labor negotiator on contract extensions with two town unions that saved the town $25 million over the course of those contracts. In 2010, the Long Island Business News named him to its "40 Under 40" list of up-and-coming leaders. Among his endorsements, Beedenbender is supported by the Working Families party and UFCW Local 1500.

Education: Beedenbender holds a Bachelor’s Degree from James Madison University and a Master’s Degree from the University of Delaware.

Opponent: County Legis. Ed Romaine

Candidate Statement: Beedenbender said in an interview with Patch that financial stability and economic growth in the town are of utmost importance. Among his specific plans: re-developing vacant properties to address community needs; expanding the recycling program to bring in more revenue; ensuring the Ronkonkoma Hub project comes to fruition to bring jobs and growth to the area; addressing waste management and the town landfill; hammering out a plan to preserve the Carmans River; continuing the Quality of Life Task Force, which has increased fines against slumlords by 300 percent since 2010. Beedenbender also said bipartisanship is important in getting things accomplished.

District: Town of Brookhaven