Kwani O'Pharrow
Kwani B. O'Pharrow has an impressive and long-standing record in public service protecting our nation and the great state of New York. He served in the Navy from 1990-1994 as Radioman Petty Officer 3rd Class (RM3)-Intel and retired from the New York City Police Department (NYPD) as a Detective after 25 years of service. His extensive NYPD career brings a wealth of valuable experience, which included: school officer, community patrol officer, domestic violence officer, gang investigations, holding various plainclothes details and assignment to the Chief of Departments office.
“Greenspaces and parks and playgrounds are vital to our neighborhoods and our families. I want to thank Assemblymember O’Pharrow for inviting me to visit Wyandanch Park today and see all the great ways it supports the community here from families to sports teams and folks looking to spend some time outside.”
(Official legislative newsroom (nyassembly.gov)) “Wyandanch Park is an integral part of the community here, and I’m so glad to have Speaker Heastie here with us today to see it. This park is home to sports teams and playgrounds and is a greenspace where families and friends and neighbors can come together outside.”
(Official legislative newsroom (nyassembly.gov))Joseph Cardinale
Joseph Cardinale was born in New York, New York. He earned a high school diploma from St. John's Preparatory School. His career experience includes working in law enforcement and as a mechanic, private investigator, truck driver, and small business owner.
Campaign site
“I am a retired Lieutenant Commander from the NYPD, small business owner, father and grandfather. I was born and raised in Brooklyn New York and moved onto Long Island in 1994.”
(Ballotpedia Candidate Connection (2026)) “I want to bring back the common sense approach to creating and enacting legislature that makes a difference for all of New York, and keeps Long Island safe and affordable. We have watched a steady decline in the quality of life in New York City and cannot afford to allow a one party rule to dictate policy for Long Island.”
(Ballotpedia Candidate Connection (2026)) “We need to completely overhaul our criminal justice system. We no longer have a proactive approach to solving crime, instead we react and over react to crimes that are based on what the political agenda of the day brings.”
(Ballotpedia Candidate Connection (2026))