Former North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman said that a lot of people have lost confidence in Democrats, citing the red wave that swept Long Island in November. 

In a virtual town hall with Blank Slate Media last week, the current Suffolk County deputy executive spoke about a number of issues, both nationally and locally, as he seeks the Democratic nomination in the 3rd Congressional District, a seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove).

“I think the Democrats have lost confidence in their party to some extent,” Kaiman said. “Many of them stayed home … this happens when the larger community feels they are not being effectively represented.”

Kaiman pointed to the bail reform issue in the state while acknowledging that the matter has become so polarizing he believes it may undermine the ability to show people that Democrats can govern. 

“I believe we need to open up the discussion on bail reform, undo this law and amend it,” Kaiman said. “One of the problems you have when passing a law with this overwhelming majority is you don’t need to talk to people who you disagree with and you end up with legislation that is problematic.”

In 2019, the state Legislature enacted a law that eliminated cash bail for many nonviolent crimes. Pretrial detention and optional cash bail were eliminated in an estimated 90 percent of cases.

Nassau Executive Bruce Blakeman in January signed an executive order that cites a need to “increase transparency by disclosing in daily reports the pending criminal data case and bail stats of those rearrested” by the Police Department. 

Kaiman acknowledged that the state had a system that was unfair and that steps are being taken to address it, but he also reiterated the need for people to be held accountable for the crimes they commit. 

“The argument we hear is that only 2 percent of people that are arrested and get out with no bail commit violent crimes again,” Kaiman said. “I don’t think it’s fair to simply diminish this amount as if that’s a reasonable number of violent crimes to be committed.”

Of the methods to resolve the issue, Kaiman stressed the need to give judges “the ability to discern the public safety concerns that need to be addressed.”

In February, Kaiman released a guidance document on public safety that called for better laws to give judges better resources.

“Judges must have the discretion to impose bail in order to protect the public from an individual who poses a threat to the community or who is not likely to return to court,” Kaiman said in the statement. “That said, bail should not be imposed if an individual is not a threat to the public or a risk of flight. Immediate and ongoing auditing of bail determinations, as well as administrative oversight over the bail process, can be used to prevent unfair, improper, inappropriate or excessive bail.”

Nationally speaking, Kaiman said that Congress needs to get back to the basics and if elected he will be a voice to engage in discussions to find common ground. He said he believes the Biden administration is showing leadership and poise in its response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and he emphasized the country should be providing as much support as possible overseas. 

Kaiman also pledged his support for universal health care and the Affordable Care Act while still expanding and amending it, but he does not support Medicare For All. 

“I simply believe that abolishing private health insurance is not the answer,” Kaiman said. “Having the government run all of our health care in this country, I do not believe it would work here. I think that we need to maintain a level of private health insurance and a private component of this industry.”

Kaiman’s rivals for the Democratic nomination include Great Neck’s Robert Zimmerman, Nassau County Legislator Joshua Lafazan, Oyster Bay’s Reema Rasool, Melanie D’Arrigo of Port Washington and state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi. He was unconcerned that many town officials have not endorsed his campaign, pointing out that many candidates with the same supporters did not get all the way over the finish line in November.  He said he is confident about  gaining votes from Democrats.

“We know that endorsements don’t win elections,” Kaiman said. “The history that I have is with the Democratic voter. The voter that has supported me has voted for me, has enabled me to do the things I’ve done to make the great changes I’ve done in North Hempstead.”

Jon Kaiman’s virtual town hall with Blank Slate Media can be seen on our YouTube channel.