Ameer Benno Is Running For New York's 4th Congressional District

Ameer Benno is the endorsed Republican Party, Conservative Party and Reform Party candidate seeking to represent Long Islanders within New York’s Fourth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Learn more about Benno's background and platform, as well as why he believes he deserves your vote in this exclusive Patch one-on-one:

Patch: What areas does the 4th District cover?

Benno: It extends from Atlantic Beach to New Hyde Park on the west side, from Wantagh to Westbury on the east side, and everything in between!

Patch: Tell us about your family.

Benno: I am a first generation American. My father was born in a Jewish refugee camp outside of Tel Aviv, prior to the birth of the State of Israel. He fought for Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War, and following his service in the IDF, he immigrated to the United States where he met my mother. I am married to Gayle, an early childhood special education teacher. We have three daughters, Sophia (age 11), Violet (age 8), and Clara (age 5). We live in Bellmore, and our children attend public school there.

Patch: What is your educational and professional background?

Benno: I attended Johns Hopkins University and Cornell Law School. After law school, I served for several years as an assistant district attorney at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. I also served as a professor at New York Law School, where I taught legal reasoning and writing and appellate advocacy.

Upon leaving government service, I became a civil rights and constitutional law attorney. I regularly lecture on constitutional law and the U.S. Supreme Court. Every year since 2012, I have been recognized as a New York Super Lawyer in the fields of the First Amendment and civil rights.

Patch: Are you involved in any community organizations?

Benno: I serve on the Civil Rights Committee and Federal Courts Committee of the Nassau County Bar Association. I am a member of the First Amendment Lawyers Association, and I am an executive officer of the Nassau Lawyer’s Association of Long Island. I also serve on the board of directors of the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers.

I am the president of the Merrick-Bellmore Jewish Community Council, and I serve on the board of the Merrick Jewish Centre. I am a member of the Long Island Chapter of the Jewish National Fund – Lawyers for Israel and the Freeport-Roosevelt Chapter of the NAACP. Prior to announcing my candidacy, I served as an officer of the South Bellmore Civic Association. I am the secretary of the Bellmore Republican Committee.

Patch: Why are you running for Congress?

Benno: I want to help! I want to make our district better! I want to help make positive changes for our community! So often, elected officials forget about you as soon as you vote them into office; I will not. My wife and I are homeowners in the district, we are raising our children in this district, and our district is where I have established my business. I understand the issues that face our communities better than a professional politician ever could. And, more importantly, I will always remember that you voted for me to be your representative and that my allegiance is to you.

Next, our current representative is not a visible presence in our district. I, on the other hand, am the community candidate. I will head to Washington as a strong and visible advocate for Long Islanders.

I have the courage to do what is right for you and our community. In fact, as a civil rights attorney, I routinely challenge all levels of government regardless of political party, and I will do the same in Congress. I have the courage to be bipartisan, and to put the community’s interests above all else.

Patch: What is your platform?

Benno: My platform is simple: (1) make our district more affordable; (2) protect our safety; and (3) protect American culture.

The exorbitant cost of living in Nassau County drives away businesses and jobs, and makes it nearly impossible for ordinary Long Islanders to simply make ends meet, let alone to build for the future. My vision is one of economic growth and for making Long Island more affordable for our families and small businesses. This includes eliminating the cap on deductions for state and local taxes, which unfairly punishes middle income Long Islanders, while slashing tax rates across the board. It’s your money, and you deserve to keep it.

I will be a tireless and unflinching champion for our nation’s security, taking a clear view of the existential threats we and our allies face overseas, as well as the domestic threats our citizens face at home, such as violent gangs and opioids. This includes a sensible immigration system that puts the best interests of American citizens first. We must secure our borders and prioritize people who actually want to become Americans, who share our values, and who will be law abiding and productive citizens.

The United States Constitution enshrines the God-given rights of American citizens, and imposes firm restraints on the power of government to interfere in people’s lives. It is the greatest political document ever drafted and the foundation of American exceptionalism. We must guard it vigilantly. My mission is to ensure that Congress respects its constitutional obligations to the citizens of this great country and never oversteps its bounds. At the same time, we must revitalize the separation of powers, and restore constitutional checks and balances.

Patch: How can readers contact you or learn more about your positions on specific issues?

Benno: They should check out my campaign website. They also can follow me on social media. My campaign is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

I am the person our district needs in Congress. On November 6, I respectfully ask you to please vote for me, Ameer Benno.

This Patch article is sponsored by Ameer Benno

Image Credit: Ameer Benno