Assemblyman Joe DeStefano

Candidate: Joe DeStefano
Residence: Medford
First Elected: 2018
Prior Elected Office: None
Office Sought: New York’s Third Assembly District
Party Lines: Republican, Conservative
Committees: Ranking Member on Governmental Employees; Labor; Transportation; Correction; Ways and Means; Aging
Endorsements: AFL-CIO, LIFL, CWA Local 1109, NSBCTC, NYC PBA, NYSUT, Right to Life Committee, AFSCME, LICA, CSEA, Suffolk AME, Human Society, TWA, Suffolk Deputy Sheriffs PBA, Suffolk Corrections Officers Association

Assemblyman Joe DeStefano has won three straight elections to Albany’s lower chamber, and now, he’s running for a fourth term.
DeStefano’s opponent, Trina Miles (D), is not actively campaigning.

Assemblyman DeStefano sat down with The Messenger for an interview for this candidate spotlight.

Q: What is your professional background and how does it equip you for the Assembly?

A: I come from labor and union, the volunteer fire service, EMS, and law enforcement backgrounds. I worked in the police department for three years, moved over to the Sheriffs in 1994. I was an EMT for many years. My experience has allowed me to craft bills that would protect law enforcement and EMS, but the legislature wouldn’t take them up for votes. I’ve also been Fire Commissioner with the Medford Fire Department for thirty years. As a union leader, I represented over two hundred people, and it was my job to protect them. I would interview candidates for office and elected officials and see that they were engaged with the community. I was also a director for the State Association of Fire Districts.

Q: What are some of your accomplishments for AD-03 and New York overall?

A: Senator Alexis Weik (R-Sayville) and I helped put the Sunrise Wind Project together. I also helped bring about the wastewater project in Mastic Beach. We’re doing everything we can to rebuild the walking tracks and Violet Cove Oysters to mitigate our flooding. I got our libraries a couple of grants, I got grants for crosswalks in Mastic Beach, and we’re trying to revitalize the area. Senator Monica Martinez (D-Brentwood) and I carried a bill to appropriate land for the Patchogue-Medford Library.

Q: What is your top priority if re-elected?

A: If you can’t deliver a good quality of life, then I don’t think you really have much of a purpose. I’m not a Green New Deal guy, but I am about renewable energy. I’ve been very against Proposition One and I’ve been in favor of Proposition Two. I voted for the water quality referendum when I was in Albany last year. I don’t vote for many budget bills, but I voted for that one. We don’t like more taxes, but we have to do something to get us out of this. Our infrastructure is so fragile.

Q: What’s your pitch to voters to return you to the Assembly as a member of the minority?

A: Common sense. I vote with the other side a lot, but that’s because not all of their legislation is bad. Unfortunately, pretty close to half of the bills come out of New York City and it’s basically one-party rule. It’s getting to the point where people are leaving the state. Eventually, all of the taxpayers are going to leave. The fees go to the school districts. That was the leverage the Governor used. Even Democrats were upset because their communities were screaming at them. The electric buses mandate is another one. Who’s paying for that? I hate, hate, hate unfunded government mandates. It goes on the backs of the taxpayers and it’s not right.

I’ve worked bipartisanly with my colleagues, one being Assemblyman Fred Thiele (D-Sag Harbor). We represented the tri-hamlet area in Mastic-Shirley-Moriches and he was there whenever I needed help with something. I am really going to miss him in the Assembly. He’s a true gentleman.

Q: What is your favorite quote, motto, or work ethic?

A: People before politics. It’s cliche, but it’s true. I have no problem giving up a bill so it can get carried. It’s about doing things above myself.

Q: How do you like to connect with your community?

A: I’ve been married to my wife for forty years. My daughter is a nurse and my son is in communications with the sheriff’s office. We love to go to NASCAR when we’re down in North Carolina. We dine locally. Even though Patchogue isn’t my district, I like to frequent the village because it’s vibrant and what a downtown should be.

The Messenger thanks Assemblyman DeStefano for his time for this interview.