Babylon Volunteer Jordan Hoffman Challenges Appointed Trustee Jeff Szabo on Open-Communication Platform

Jordan Hoffman, a longtime volunteer in Babylon Village, has launched a campaign for village trustee in the March 18 election, positioning himself against appointed incumbent Jeff Szabo, the Suffolk County Water Authority CEO. Hoffman, who has lived in the village for five years, framed his bid around increasing transparency and ensuring governance reflects the lived experiences of local residents.

Hoffman’s announcement came as the trustee seat remains occupied by Szabo, who was appointed by Mayor Mary Adams. The race sets up a clear choice between an appointed official with county-level water authority experience and a candidate whose background is rooted in local volunteer service and community outreach. For voters, the contest highlights questions about how village leadership communicates with residents and how local priorities are set.

A lawyer by training, Hoffman holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University at Albany (2006) and a Juris Doctor from the Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center at Touro College (2013). He is admitted to practice in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and the Southern District of New York. That legal background accompanies a deep record of local volunteerism: 16 years on the board of the Bay Community Volunteer Ambulance Corps, service with Five Quad Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and since 2021 a role with the Babylon Fire Department where he serves as a lieutenant in the rescue squad and participates in the department’s high-water rescue unit and recruitment committee.

Hoffman has also been active with youth sports and charities, working with the West Islip Swim Club and Babylon Little League, organizing charitable collections for autistic children and other local organizations, and offering free CPR and first-aid classes for babysitters, Boy Scouts and teachers. The village recognized his civic work by naming him among nine Unsung Heroes awardees. Those roots in emergency services and youth programs are central to his appeal among residents who prioritize hands-on community involvement.

The campaign is centered on direct resident engagement. Hoffman has outlined plans for door-to-door outreach, community meetings and public forums to solicit input and foster two-way communication between village government and residents. A campaign kickoff was held at Jack Jack’s Coffee House on Jan. 17, and his team is moving toward the March 18 election calendar.

For Babylon residents, the race is more than a local contest; it is an immediate decision about how the village balances appointed expertise and grassroots representation. Voters will weigh Szabo’s administrative experience against Hoffman’s community-centered approach and emergency services credentials. How trustees handle local concerns such as public safety, water and infrastructure, and community engagement will be the measure voters use at the polls.

As the campaign progresses, residents can expect more public forums and candidate outreach leading up to March 18. The outcome will shape how village leadership listens to and acts on the everyday needs of Babylon households.