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BORN: March 1, 1942, East Meadow EDUCATION: Massapequa High School, G.E.D., 1959 FAMILY: Wife, Elizabeth; two children RELIGION: Catholic MILITARY: Air Force, 1959-63 OCCUPATION: Architectural-metal-firm owner POLITICAL CAREER: None ADDRESS: 45 Dixon Avenue, Amityville 11701. Tel.: 516-841-0490
Adding a page to the G.O.P. playbook, Herman, an Independent endorsed by the Democratic party, had his "Covenant with the Voters" notarized. In it he pledges to reject pac money and to serve no more than six years if elected. Guided by the mantra "Dishonesty is just not good business," Herman has embarked on a crusade to battle corruption in governmant. He says his business sense will help him in office, but he may have a hard time getting past Rick Lazio, who won in 1994 by a 40% margin.
THE ISSUES
Budget NR Medicare NR Defense YES Abortion YES Guns YES Gays YES Bosnia NR NAFTA NO Welfare NO Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "You can be greedy without lying, cheating or stealing. I embrace selfishness, but you also have a duty to mature the species and to develop spiritually."
RICK LAZIO (R) District 2
BORN: March 13, 1958, West Islip EDUCATION: Vassar College, B.A., 1980; American U, J.D., 1983 FAMILY: Wife, Patricia; two children RELIGION: Roman Catholic MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Lawyer POLITICAL CAREER: SUFFOLK COUNTY LEGISLATURE, 1990-92; U.S. HOUSE, 1992- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 5063, Bay Shore 11706. Tel.: 516-666-3020
Lazio's moderate brand of conservatism has won voters in a district whose ethnic and social diversity might have crushed a lesser candidate. After a gunman with a semiautomatic weapon killed six and injured 19 on a Long Island Rail Road commuter train in 1993, Lazio broke with his party to support the 1994 Clinton crime bill and the assault-weapons ban. Lazio speaks out against Big Government, but has also voted for legislation to protect access to abortion clinics.
THE ISSUES
Budget YES Medicare YES Defense YES Abortion YES Guns YES Gays YES Bosnia YES NAFTA YES Welfare YES Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "I believe the best way to restore the public's faith in our government's ability to keep our streets safe is to pass laws based on everyday common sense."
PETER KING (R) District 3 (Eastern Nassau County--Oyster Bay)
BORN: April 5, 1944, Manhattan EDUCATION: St. Francis College, B.A., 1965; U of Notre Dame, J.D., 1968 FAMILY: Wife, Rosemary; two children RELIGION: Roman Catholic MILITARY: National Guard, 1968-73 OCCUPATION: Lawyer POLITICAL CAREER: Nassau County comptroller, 1981-92; U.S. House, 1992- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 1428, Seaford 11783. Tel.: 516-781-4766
King is a wily, rambunctious incumbent who should win in a walk: his opponent, a politically inexperienced eccentric who calls himself Tweezerman, hasn't enough money to mount a serious campaign. Even if he had, he would be hard put to make an inroad into this historically Republican working-class district. King is a dependable Republican, though with his own eccentricity: supporting I.R.A. and Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams.
THE ISSUES