Samantha Goetz Promises “Normal” Representation

By Mark Demetropoulos

On a warm weekday evening in late September, the Leader joined first-time candidate and local mom Samantha Goetz as she campaigned, knocking on doors with volunteers in Bayville.

One resident opened the door and asked, “Who are you running against?” Samantha replied, “Josh Lafazan.”

The resident brightened-up and said “Good - You absolutely have my vote. He has to go.”

Samantha has always been the kind person who puts-in the hard and important work, but never needs any of the credit.

“I never thought I would be running for political office,” said Samantha. “I’m not into grandstanding like we see in too much of today’s politics; I love doing the actual work.”

Samantha attended St. Dominic's High School in Oyster Bay and then went on to graduate from and Binghamton University and New York Law School. Since then, Samantha has held several junior and senior positions in government.

“My first job out of college was working for former State Senator Carl Marcellino. I worked on constituent casework and learned how to navigate government bureaucracy to get results for residents,” said Samantha. Samantha went on to serve as an Assistant Town Attorney in Oyster Bay, where she worked with Supervisor Joseph Saladino and the Town Board to implement policies to protect our suburban quality of life. Samantha currently serves as a Deputy County Attorney in Nassau, where she works under County Executive Bruce Blakeman to defend police officers and corrections officers. “When an opportunity opened up to screen for Legislator, a lot of people reached out and encouraged me to seek the nomination,” said Samantha. “As a homeowner raising two children with my husband in Locust Valley, I am invested in the success of our communities.” In March, Samantha was nominated to run for Legislator on the Republican and Conservative lines. Samantha faces the three-term, scandal-plagued incumbent Joshua Lafazan, who has demonstrated controversial and questionable activities while in office. “I think residents are tired of the non-stop drama and circus-like activity that has engulfed our incumbent legislator,” said Samantha.

“If elected, I intend to restore normal representation to the district and be responsive to the needs of my neighbors. They all deserve nothing less.”