Deer Park-North Babylon Election Guide

As we look ahead to November’s elections, Patch sites across Long Island are here to bring you the information you need about every race in town. Here's our start on the candidates and issues we'll be covering as November draws near. Bookmark this page for updates.

President Barack Obama: Elected in 2008 on a platform of change, this time around the president is going to have to draw from his experience at the country's helm for the past four years. Time will tell if the president visits Long Island this election, but if history is any indicator, we're sure to see .

GOP Presidential Nominee Mitt Romney (presumed): While the former Massachusetts governor still needs the nomination at the GOP convention in August, the race between the president and this New England Republican is all but set. Look for Romney to point to taxes and big government to pick up East End votes. Long Island, but we expect he'll be back before Election Day.

U.S. Senate: U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., is seeking a six-year term in Washington following her appointment by then Gov. David Paterson on Jan. 23, 2009. Gillibrand replaced Hillary Rodham Clinton when she was appointed Secretary of State by President Obama. Republicans running in a primary for the right to battle Gillibrand this November include U.S. Rep. Bob Turner, R-Forest Hills,Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos and U.S litigation attorney Wendy E. Long.

State Sen. Owen Johnson: There were rumors earlier this year that Johnson, who was first elected to the State Senate in 1972, would retire and sit out the race in November, but the West Babylon resident will indeed be on the ballot once again. The Republican holds a leadership role on the Senate Finance Committee where he serves as the Vice Chair.

Assemblyman Andrew Raia: Raia, a Republican, is seeking his sixth term in the Assembly. Prior to his election to the Assembly, Raia, of East Northport, served for 12 years as a leading staff member in legislative offices of the State Assembly and Senate, as well as the Suffolk County Legislature. He is a member of the Medicaid Waste, Fraud and Abuse Minority Task Force, as well as the Small Business in New York State Minority Task Force.