Dave Mejias
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David L. "Dave" Mejias is an American politician. He is a member of the County Legislature of Nassau County, New York, and mounted a failed campaign as a Democratic candidate for the United States House of Representatives in 2006.
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[edit] Background
Mejias's father, José, was a Cuban who was arrested in 1965 for anti-Castro activism and later fled to the United States upon being released.[1] Dave Mejias was born and raised in Farmingdale, New York. He graduated from SUNY Albany, where he was Vice President of the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. He earned his J.D. degree from Fordham University School of Law. Mejias currently resides in North Massapequa, New York. He is the managing partner of David L. Mejias & Associates, a law firm specializing in personal Injury, matrimonial, and criminal law.
[edit] Political career
In 2003, Mejias was elected to the Nassau County Legislature, becoming the first Latino elected to that body. He was re-elected in 2005. He was endorsed in those races by the Long Island Chapter of the liberal group Americans for Democratic Action.[2][3] The chapter endorsed him again for his 2006 run for Congress.[4] In August 2006, the AFL-CIO endorsed Mejias over Peter T. King (R), citing its perennial discontent with the national Republican party.[citation needed]
In his first two years in office, Mejias supported Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi and voted for budgets that, along with the state bailout of the County, resulted in no tax increases for residents and improved bond ratings for the County. Nassau County now has an "A" bond rating for the first time in a decade.[citation needed]
[edit] 2006 Congressional election
In the 2006 Congressional election, Mejias was the Democratic nominee to represent the Third Congressional District of New York. That seat is currently held by Republican Peter King (R-Seaford), chairman of House Committee on Homeland Security.[5] Despite Newsday's backing, King defeated Mejias in the election 56-44%.
Mejias's campaign was centralized mostly on criticized King for his close link to President George W. Bush. For example, King was quoted in stating "I thank God every night that he [Bush] is our president. You should do the same."[6]
Mejias has also criticized King, who is the Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, over the Department of Homeland Security's $83 million reduction in funding for New York City.[7]
In September 2006, King sent a letter to his constituents in which he attempted to link Mejias to men King called "radical" Muslim leaders on Long Island. The letter backfired when federal records showed that King had himself accepted thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from the same donors.[8] Regardless, King still beat Mejias.
[edit] References
- ^ Martino Jr., Michael M.. "The Next King?", Long Island Press, 2006-07-26. Retrieved on 2006-12-07.
- ^ LIADA Newsletter. Americans for Democratic Action. Retrieved on 2006-12-07.
- ^ LIADA Endorsements for the November 8, 2005 Long Island, NY Elections. Americans for Democratic Action. Retrieved on 2006-12-07.
- ^ LIADA Endorses David Mejias for Congress. Americans for Democratic Action. Retrieved on 2006-12-07.
- ^ J. Jioni Palmer. "Potential King challenger emerges", Newsday, December 18, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-07-18.
- ^ Palmer, J. Jioni. "Fightin' words", Newsday, 2005-06-30. Retrieved on 2006-12-07.
- ^ Sid Cassese. "Mejias raps King on Funds", Newsday, 2006-06-03. Retrieved on 2006-10-26.
- ^ Rothfield, Michael. "Inconsistencies arise in King's attacks", Newsday, 2006-09-19. Retrieved on 2006-12-07.
