I grew up in a close-knit Irish Catholic family in Queens, where I learned early the importance of hard work, honesty, family, and treating people with respect. My grandparents came to New York from Ireland as teenagers with very little. They met here, built a life together, and raised a family whose children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren now live across the country.

Behind the Candidate

I am not a career politician. I am a problem solver, a mother, a journalist, and a fighter — someone who believes public service should be about delivering results for people, not protecting political careers. I earned my degree in Political Science from Columbia University, and I was later selected for an intensive master's program in Global Leadership at Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs — chosen alongside a small cohort of just 23 global leaders, diplomats, and policymakers from around the world to study leadership, conflict resolution, and problem-solving across political divisions.

About

For more than twenty years, I have proudly called Long Island home. My husband and I raised our family here, and I am deeply grateful to live in a community filled with hardworking, honest people who care about their neighbors and care about the future. Garden City, and all of District 19, is a special place.

Colleen Connaughton grew up in Queens. She earned a degree in political science from Columbia University and was selected for a master's program in global leadership at Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs. She has called Long Island home for more than 20 years and raised her family there with her husband.

Colleen Connaughton grew up in Queens. She earned a degree in political science from Columbia University and a master's degree in global leadership from Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs. She has called Long Island home for more than 20 years and raised her family there with her husband.

For nearly two decades, I worked as a television journalist, reporting from around the world and covering major historic events, international summits, wars, and political change. I have also continued traveling throughout my life, including to Ireland, France, Cuba, India, and Israel, and pursuing my interest in history at places ranging from Gettysburg and Normandy to China Beach.

My greatest education, though, came from spending nearly twenty years as an international journalist and foreign correspondent. I lived throughout Europe and Asia. I reported from war zones. I covered world leaders, economic crises, international summits, and some of the most important events of our generation. I witnessed both the consequences of political division and the power of real leadership to unite people in difficult times.

Colleen previously worked as a television journalist and foreign correspondent.

Colleen is a first-time candidate for elected office.

2026 New York General Election

As of September 9, 2026, Colleen Connaughton’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Economy

Energy & the Environment

My commitment to healthcare reform is deeply personal. My husband's work as a network cameraman in conflict zones left him with severe PTSD and lasting health challenges, and for years our family experienced firsthand how difficult it is to navigate America's healthcare and mental health systems. I also saw, living and working abroad, how other healthcare systems give families peace of mind and dignity — without the constant fear that one medical emergency could financially devastate them. Healthcare is not a political issue. It is a human issue, and I will fight for stronger mental health services, better access to care, and a system that puts patients ahead of insurance company bureaucracy.

Pledges to fight for stronger mental health services, better access to care, and a healthcare system that puts patients ahead of insurance bureaucracy.

- Pledges to fight for stronger mental health services, better access to care, and a healthcare system that puts patients ahead of insurance bureaucracy.

Healthcare

Voting & Elections

I also believe in real opportunity for young people who choose a path other than a four-year degree — more apprenticeships, more technical education, more pathways into the skilled trades that Long Island's economy needs. I strongly support public safety and our law enforcement professionals. Families deserve safe neighborhoods, businesses deserve safe communities, and children deserve safe schools.

Strongly supports public safety and law enforcement professionals.

- Strongly supports public safety and law enforcement professionals.

Public Safety

I am equally passionate about education. I believe we need to get back to basics — more reading, more books, more handwriting, more mental math, more critical thinking, and less dependence on screens and AI in our children's early years. Technology should support learning, not replace it. I also believe in real opportunity for young people who choose a path other than a four-year degree — more apprenticeships, more technical education, more pathways into the skilled trades that Long Island's economy needs.

I am equally passionate about education. I believe we need to get back to basics — more reading, more books, more handwriting, more mental math, more critical thinking, and less dependence on screens and AI in our children's early years. Technology should support learning, not replace it. I also believe in real opportunity for young people who choose a path other than a four-year degree — more apprenticeships, more technical education, more pathways into the skilled trades that Long Island's economy needs. I strongly support public safety and our law enforcement professionals.

Advocates for early education centered on reading, handwriting, mental math, and critical thinking, with less reliance on screens and artificial intelligence.

Advocates for more apprenticeships, technical education, and skilled-trades pathways for students who do not pursue four-year degrees.

- Advocates for early education centered on reading, handwriting, mental math, and critical thinking, with less reliance on screens and artificial intelligence.
- Advocates for more apprenticeships, technical education, and skilled-trades pathways for students who do not pursue four-year degrees.

Education

Housing & Urban Development

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Colleen Connaughton

Edward Krutsch

Buket Urgen

Edward P. Ra

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