The Rise, Fall, and Ascendency of the Nassau County Republican Party A Case Study of Suburban Machine Politics

Abstract

Nassau County, NY, is American suburbia. Known for its by white picket fences and Levittown homes, Nassau is one of the wealthiest counties in the country. Underneath the shine is a political organization that has existed since the county split from Queens to escape consolidation with New York City. The vaunted Nassau County Republican Party Machine has become infamous for its organization, effectiveness, and staying power, outlasting political machines in New York City and Chicago despite being a unique example of a suburban political machine. This thesis seeks to answer three questions: How does the Nassau County Republican Party perpetuate the machine components of its organization, how does it respond to the threats that it faces, and how might it respond to threats on its horizon. Chapter 1 gives context to the founding of Nassau County and the beginnings of the Republican machine, as well as discussing the methods of the thesis and the unique situation I am put in as the author. Chapter 2 serves as a Literature Review and places the Republican Party within the context of the literature surrounding political machines, political organizations, strong parties, and their distinctions. Chapter 3 begins the discussion of the mechanisms of the machine, most basically an overview of the patronage system, the rumored 1% rule, the party’s reputation, the professional nature of the party allowing it to cross partisan lines and reach out to unexpected communities, effective service delivery, and finally the benefit the Republicans gain from having county and town elections in off years as opposed to midterm or President years. From there, Chapter 4 dives deep into the two most complex aspects of the machine: it’s use of the property tax reassessment system to perpetuate its machine activities, and its relationship (and battles) with the state and national Republican parties. Chapters 5 and 6 synthesize the previous four chapters into an exploration as to how the Republican machine adapts to the issues it faces, maintains power in the face of internal and external pressure, and views what challenges may lay ahead for it. This thesis closes with a discussion of the future of the Nassau Republican Party and a hopeful wish that this thesis will be an inspiration to future Princetonians from Nassau County.