Meet The Candidates: Rob Bennett For State Assembly

LONG ISLAND, NY — This November, Long Island residents will be hitting the polls to exercise their right to vote. While voters will be electing the president this Election Day, they will also be choosing their local representatives. In New York, state and federal races will also be on the ballot.

Independent Rob Bennett, 35, of Lindenhurst is running for New York's 11th Assembly District. He is running against incumbent Democrat Kimberly Jean-Pierre and Republican Eugene Murray.

The district covers West Babylon, Wyandanch, Lindenhurst, Copiague, East Farmingdale, North Lindenhurst, Amityville, North Amityville, Wheatley Heights, and parts of North Babylon and Deer Park.

Bennett received his Bachelor's Degree in History from Long Island University and his Master's Degree in Political Science from Long Island University. He has worked in International Education for the past 13 years.

Bennett and his wife, Christine, have a son, Robbie.

In anticipation of the election, Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Check out the full Q&A below:

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am an outsider and I am not from the swamp. I am not running for the power, I am running to try and shine a light and potentially help save people from personal and economic ruin due to big government power that is out of control. I am almost entirely self-funded with an efficient, shoe-string campaign budget. I pledge to introduce a bill for term limits. If elected, I also pledge to serve no more than two terms in the Assembly. I'm the only candidate on Long Island talking about making Long Island a separate autonomous region and on the eventual path to statehood, I've got the grit to keep on pushing to make it happen.
My central, core beliefs center around limiting the size of government and placing a greater emphasis on individual choice and individual rights. Perhaps above all else is medical freedom. No other freedom matters if we do not have control over our own bodies. I will fight hard to combat the creeping medical fascism we now face. If not me, who? I am here to be the voice of the voiceless. I want to inspire so thousands more do what I am doing. Voting is one thing but the power elite are petrified of regular folk having the courage to run for office.

State authoritarianism. What I intend to do about it is to actually follow the U.S. Constitution. To borrow from Dr. Ron Paul, I will "never vote for legislation unless the proposed measure is expressly authorized by the Constitution".

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am the candidate for true reform and shocking the system.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre is absent in our community and when she does act on anything it is in lockstep with Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the NYC elitist progressives. I am one of her constituents and she failed to acknowledge my email wishing her good luck in this campaign as a fellow candidate. Bad form! Imagine how many other calls or emails must be ignored from everyone else trying to get in contact with her.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

-Long Island separation form NYS/autonomous region/eventual statehood
-term limits
-Individual choice in public health policy
-Individual responsibility
-Free market economy, removing restrictions
-Pro 2A, repeal the (Un) SAFE Act
-Education choice at all levels
-Fairness in criminal justice system. Soft on crime creates more criminals. Tough on crime creates more criminals. The answer to limiting criminality is to be fair on crime.
-Medical freedom/bodily autonomy
-Remove government waste, lower taxes
-Reign in government and party corruption-term limits, ranked choice voting
-Much smaller, less invasive government. I will aim to introduce laws to protect people from government overreach
-Solutions to healthcare crisis and solutions for a more clean, less poisonous environment without getting the government involved in either

To sum it up I want to make for less taxes, a much smaller and efficient/accountable government, a thriving business climate, with all individual liberties restored and I want to specifically focus on Long Island! Let's make Long Island Affordable Again, Let's Make Long Island Free Again,Let's Make Strong Island Strong Again!

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

In every work position I've ever held, I've transformed the position I was in to something much better. I change company cultures and in anything I've ever put my mind to, I am a game-changer.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

My dear mom Robin who passed away last October used to tell me always that I am capable of anything. She taught me that nothing is impossible.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I'm running an avant-garde campaign and I am having a lot of fun running but do know that I am 100 percent a serious candidate, a candidate you've never quite seen before. Modern problems require modern solutions, please check out my Facebook page to learn more about me.