Mineola Restaurant Owner to Run Against Mangano

Only one candidate has thus far filed to challenge Nassau Executive Ed Mangano in the 2013 election. And he happens to own a restaurant in Mineola.

Adam Haber, a retired Wall Street trader and co-owner of Lula Trattoria which replaced Circa Ristorante in November 2012, says in a Newsday report that his experience both as a business owner and a trader in oil futures will help the county escape its crippling debt and state fiscal oversight board.

According to Newsday, Haber, a Democrat, has comparable funding to Mangano and any other Democratic challenger:

Haber said he has spent the past year building a campaign organization and meeting with hundreds of civic leaders in preparation for the November election. Last week, Haber reported more than $2.18 million in cash on hand, including $2 million he loaned to his campaign. Mangano, a Republican, has $2.3 million in cash while former Democratic County Executive Tom Suozzi, who is being pressed by some Democrats to run again, has almost $1.1 million.

Haber, an East Hills resident, served on the Roslyn School Board in the wake of the $11 million embezzlement scandal after winning election in 2009. In addition to Lula Trattoria, he also owns another Portuguese restaurant in Manhattan. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Albany and a masters in political science from C.W. Post.

Nassau Democrats appear to be mixed on the issue, with Legis. Wayne Wink, D-Roslyn, saying Haber faces “an uphill battle” due to political inexperience while party chair Jay Jacobs labeled him a “serious contender and a very bright businessman.”