Candidate Profile: U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy

Name: Carolyn McCarthy

Hometown: Mineola

Party: Democrat

Bio: Rep. McCarthy has represented New York's 4th Congressional District since she was first elected to the seat in 1996, becoming Long Island's first congresswoman. Now in her 8th term, McCarthy is a senior member of the Committee on Education and Workforce, a ranking member of the International Monetary Policy and Trade Subcommittee and a member of the Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittee, the Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee, the Financial Services Committee and the Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit Subcommittee.

She sponsored the National Instant Criminal Background Check Database (NICS) Improvement Amendments Act, gun legislation signed into law by President Bush in 2008; and the Serve America Act and the Civil Rights Oral History Project, both signed into law by President Obama in 2009.

McCarthy worked as a nurse for more than 30 years. She also raised one son, Kevin, with her husband, Dennis, and is now a grandmother of two.

Education: McCarthy is a graduate of Mineola High School and Glen Cove Nursing School.

Opponent: Nassau County Legis. Francis Becker, R-Lynbrook and Frank Scaturro, C-New Hyde Park

District: The 4th Congressional District includes Baldwin, East Meadow, East Rockaway, Elmont, the Five Towns, Lynbrook, Floral Park, Franklin Square, Garden City, Hempstead, Malverne, Mineola, Carle Place, New Hyde Park, Oceanside, Rockville Centre, Roosevelt, Uniondale, Valley Stream, West Hempstead, Bellmore, Merrick, Long Beach and Westbury.

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Visit http://www.vote411.org/pollfinder.php to find your local polling location.

Story by Tara Conry