As the overhyped issues fade away after Election Day, another quieter, running theme resonates, underscoring just how local local races can get.

Again and again, at town halls, on social media and in meet the candidate nights, housing and zoning emerged as the most pressing issue in 2025. Remarkably, the tone, emphasis and perspectives have noticeably shifted.

In years past, candidates would often trip over themselves to see who could embrace the Not in My Backyard moniker more. The notion that a candidate — especially an incumbent — would advocate for specific housing or other economic development plans was rare — and even rarer that such plans would be realized.

Now, with the cost of housing and affordability taking center stage, the need for a growing tax base to meet local government’s increasing expenses, and shrinking school enrollment, those attitudes have changed. It’s certainly not true everywhere — but in spots across the Island, especially in Suffolk County, an increasing number of elected officials and........

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