Suffolk County is one of the most conservative districts in the New York City area. This area has become politically capricious over the last decade, as cuts in the defense industry eliminated local jobs. The conservatism in the first district is fairly moderate. Republicans hold a considerable edge in enrollment, but Democrats have represented the district in congress for much of the last 30 years. Environmental issues rank high since tourism and fishing are two of the area's major industries.
Many residents hold moderate views on gun control and abortion.
Major industries in the first district include tourism, fishing, research, medicine, and higher education. The defense industry dominated until the Cold War ended - a development that sent the district's economy into a downward spiral. The Brookhaven National Laboratory, a U.S. Department of Energy atomic energy research facility, has great political significance to the district. In recent years, scientific research has replaced defense as a major industry, and the State University of New York at Stony Brook and Brookhaven National Laboratory attract many scientists to the area. In general, residents of this district are wealthier and better educated than the rest of the nation.