Suffolk County comptroller race pits veteran administrator against legal watchdog

Suffolk County voters will choose the next comptroller on Nov. 3.

The position carries responsibility for a $4.3 billion budget. Two candidates, Republican Dan Losquadro and Democrat Jon Estreich, outlined distinct plans for the role during a recent interview and debate.

Losquadro brings more than 13 years of experience as Brookhaven's highway superintendent. He previously served in the Suffolk County Legislature and the New York State Assembly. Before entering politics, he worked as a fraud investigator for State Farm Insurance for a decade. He argues that his background in managing large municipal departments prepares him to oversee county finances.

Losquadro has led efforts to modernize Brookhaven's Highway Department. He moved operations from paper-based processes to electronic systems. This change helped the town pay vendors within weeks after major events like snowstorms. He wants to apply similar efficiency to the county. He proposes reviewing technology and financial processes to improve vendor payments and reduce borrowing costs.

Estreich approaches the job through the lens of legal oversight. He served as a Suffolk County prosecutor and worked as an investigative attorney for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. He also commands a headquarters company of about 140 soldiers in the U.S. Army Reserve. Estreich argues that the comptroller must act as an independent check on the county executive and legislature.

Estreich cited an MTA investigation into locomotive engine purchases to illustrate his approach. Investigators examined complex transactions for potential bid-rigging. Although they found no wrongdoing, the process required deep scrutiny. Estreich said he wants to apply that same rigor to county contracts. He proposes auditing no-bid and sole-source agreements and reviewing payroll for potential no-show jobs.

Both candidates agree that identifying waste is a core priority. Their methods differ. Estreich wants a real-time, searchable spending dashboard so residents can track county money. He also wants to protect whistleblowers. Losquadro focuses on operational efficiency. He proposes eliminating pipeline debt by closing out completed or abandoned capital projects. He also wants to examine whether the county collects appropriate hotel taxes from short-term rentals on the East End.

Losquadro said his relationships with county leaders will help him work collaboratively while maintaining independence. Estreich said transparency is key to restoring public trust. Both candidates said they will judge their tenure by the results of their financial scrutiny.