Bosworth won’t vie for re-election in November, clerk Wink to run

Rose Weldon
North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth (D-Great Neck) announced her intention not to run for a fifth term, and town Clerk Wayne Wink has announced intentions to run in her place. (Left photo by Janelle Clausen, right courtesy of the Town of North Hempstead)

After spending decades in public service, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth has announced her intention not to run for another term of office.

A longtime colleague, Town Clerk Wayne Wink, announced that he would run for the post this fall.

“The pandemic has been a time of deep reflection,” Bosworth said in a statement released by the town on Monday morning. “One of the lessons that has been reinforced for me is the importance of family and how essential the time is that we spend with our loved ones.

“So often, I have thought about the many things I would like to do in the future, and I’ve come to the realization that the future is now. Therefore, I have made the decision that I will not be a candidate for re-election as Town Supervisor for the Town of North Hempstead.”

At a Zoom meeting for the Roslyn Chamber of Commerce on Monday, Wink, a Democrat who has served two terms as clerk, announced his candidacy for the office of town supervisor.

“I’m going to run on my record, hopefully with the support of my party and with the support of the constituents that I wish to continue to serve,” Wink said in an interview on Tuesday.

Democratic Party chair Jacobs said in an email that he anticipates a primary, but has not yet heard from any other interested candidates within the party. The Republican Party has not yet announced a candidate for the race.

A Democrat from Great Neck and a former teacher in the New York City public schools, Bosworth began her career in public service by spending 16 years as a trustee on the Great Neck Board of Education. She was elected to the Nassau County Legislature to represent the 10th District in 2007 and spent six years in the Legislature.

In 2013, Bosworth won her first election for North Hempstead supervisor over then-town Councilwoman Dina De Giorgio of Port Washington and succeeded fellow Great Neck resident Jon Kaiman in the role.

Over the course of her eight years as North Hempstead supervisor, Bosworth oversaw the passage of legislation prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to those under 21; led a redesign of North Hempstead Beach Park in Port Washington, among improvements to other town parks; lobbied for Hurricane Sandy recovery funds, resulting in the town obtaining $50 million in grants; established committees and agencies for veterans and those with disabilities; and scheduled votes on town budgets to take place before Election Day.

Fiscally, under Bosworth’s tenure the town has received its first two Triple-A bond ratings from Moody’s, the highest rating a municipality can attain. She also won re-election three times, against Anthony Bulzomi in 2015, Stephen Nasta in 2017 and David Redmond in 2019.

She added that she would not seek another term in order to spend more time with her family, including her husband, Dr. Jay Bosworth, two children and two grandchildren.

“As many in Town Hall know, I often say ‘Family First.’ Now is the time for me to take my own advice,” Bosworth said. “When my term concludes, I look forward to spending more time with Jay, my children, and grandchildren. Change is healthy and now is the right time for me to conclude my tenure in office.”

In her statement Monday, Bosworth referred to the past year as a “profoundly challenging time for our Town residents and Town government.”

“In fact, it might be the most demanding time in our Town’s history,” Bosworth said. “I have been so proud to serve as your town supervisor as we made the difficult decisions during this pandemic. We always put public health and safety first and will continue to do so.”

Colleagues of Bosworth wished her well, with state Sen. Anna Kaplan (D-Great Neck), who represented the town’s 4th District for two terms, saying it had been an honor to work with her.

“I’ve been proud to call Judi Bosworth a friend and a role model for years, and it’s been an honor to work alongside her as a colleague in government since I first took office,” Kaplan said. “Judi is, above all else, a public servant who cares, who works hard, and who never gives up. While I will certainly miss working with Judi to serve our shared constituents in the Town of North Hempstead, I congratulate her on a towering career in public service, and wish her all the best for some well-deserved time with her husband Jay, her children, and grandchildren.”

In an emailed update to her constituents, town Councilwoman Mariann Dalimonte said she was experiencing “mixed emotions” about the news.

“On the one hand, I am filled with joy for her, her husband Jay, and her family for the time they’ll be able to enjoy together,” Dalimonte said. “On the other, I am deeply saddened by the thought of the Town of North Hempstead without her warmhearted leadership, steady fiscal stewardship, and thoughtful ability to create consensus. I look forward to working with and learning from her for the remainder of this year, and I know that together we will accomplish great things for our constituents.”  

Supervisor Don Clavin of the neighboring Town of Hempstead praised Bosworth in a statement.

“I have had the great pleasure of working with Judi Bosworth over the years, and can attest to her sincere devotion to the people and places she so passionately serves,” Clavin said. “Throughout her public service career, Supervisor Bosworth has remained a stalwart community advocate during her tenure as a school board trustee, county legislator and town supervisor. I wish Supervisor Bosworth well in her future endeavors, and hope she continues lending her voice and experience as an engaged member of civic life in the Town of North Hempstead after the conclusion of her term.”

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran thanked Bosworth for her service to the town and county in a statement.

“Judi Bosworth has not only been a tireless public servant for three decades, she has become a dear friend, and it has been an honor to work alongside her,” Curran said. “Judi has led by example of how local government can work for the people – striving to increase ethics, transparency and public participation in North Hempstead.”

Nassau County Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs wished Bosworth well in a statement.

“Judi Bosworth was a great Town Supervisor, a great representative and advocate for her community, a great political ally and she remains a great friend,” Jacobs said.

Wink, who first worked with Bosworth as a fellow county legislator, said in an interview that he had the “good fortune” of working with her for over 13 years.

“Judi has done a tremendous job as town supervisor and county legislator,” Wink said. “I’ve always enjoyed not only her company but her intellect, and working alongside her to solve the county and town’s issues. I wish her well on whatever she chooses to do in the future.”

Bosworth concluded her comments by saying that it had been “an honor” to serve as town supervisor.

“I have every confidence our Town elected officials and workforce will maintain the standards of transparency, accountability, and fiscal oversight that have been my guiding principles in government,” Bosworth said.

“Public service is not defined by the office you hold. It is defined by the love you have for your community and neighbors, and by being there for them. By that standard, I will always be engaged in public service.”

Share this Article