New York Assembly District 15 Election: Meet Michael Montesano

GLEN HEAD, NY — The general election is right around the corner and President Donald Trump isn't the only elected official on the ballot. In New York, state and federal elections will also be decided.

At the state level, Republican Assemblyman Michael Montesano seeks re-election against Democratic challenger Joseph Sackman, III in District 15. The district includes parts of Hicksville, Bethpage, Farmingdale, Syosset, Muttontown, Brookville, Oyster Bay, East Norwich, Locust Valley and Bayville.

Montesano, of Glen Head, was elected to the state Assembly 10 years ago. He was a police officer and detective for the NYPD for a decade and also served as an EMT supervisor and investigator for the NYC Emergency Medical Service, according to his biography on the state's website. He is a former president of the Nassau County Criminal Courts Bar Association and former President of the Nassau County Magistrates Association. He has also served as president, vice president and trustee of the North Shore School District Board of Education.

Montesano is a member of several committees: Ways and Means, Codes, Ethics and Guidance, Judiciary and Oversight, Analysis and Investigation.

Sackman's career experience includes working as a research coordinator in veterinary medicine. He previously served as a volunteer activist for five years at the left-leaning super political action committee Wolf-PAC, which aims to amend the U.S. Constitution to mitigate corruption stemming from money in politics. He served as a rank-and-file member, organizer, state director, national coordinator and advisory council member at the organization.

Patch has reached out to both candidates to fill out our 2020 candidate questionnaire. Here are their responses, lightly edited for clarity.

See also:

• New York Assembly District 15 Election: Meet Joe Sackman
  
• NY Absentee Ballots Can Be Returned To Hundreds Of Drop Boxes
• Mail-In Voting In New York: Deadlines, How To Get A Ballot
• New Yorkers Can Now Apply Online For Absentee Ballot

Michael Montesano

Age as of Election Day (Nov. 3): 66

Town of residence: Glen Head

Position Sought: State Assembly

Party Affiliation: Republican, independent and conservative

Family: Married, four children, three grandchildren

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No

Education: Associates Degree in police science from Nassau County Community College, Bachelor’s Degree in criminal justice from Saint John’s University, and Juris Doctor from City University of New York Law School

Occupation: Assemblyman, Lawyer

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: Assemblyman from the 15th Assembly District since 2010

Campaign website: MontesanoForAssembly.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I have worked in the Assembly for the past 10 years, but my job is not yet done. There is so much more to do in Albany in terms of ethics reform, helping secure funding for our schools, lowering taxes, supporting small businesses and our local economy, fighting for the rights of those in nursing homes, our first responders and those who protect our communities and protecting our local environment and waters. The hard-working people I see when I travel this district are my inspiration to keep running for office. Managing the issues that face this district is no easy task.

My career as an assemblyman, police officer, detective, judge and lawyer has helped me understand the problems within our community. I want to see our community continue to grow and prosper as it has under my leadership. I wish to continue to stand up for the community and make sure every voice in our district is heard.

The single most pressing issue facing our nation/state/community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

One of the most troubling issues facing our state is bail reform and crime. Since the Majority passed the new bail reform laws, we have seen a number of criminals released and then reoffend. It is disheartening knowing that a victim has to live in constant fear because their attacker could be around the corner. Police departments are spending unnecessary time and money arresting these criminals who just end up back out on the streets soon after. One thing I learned as a police officer is that police departments and first responders need the support of the communities they serve. That being said, police also need to be held accountable for their actions as well. A crime is a crime, no matter who commits it they must own up to what they have done.

For this reason, I support changes being made to the law known at “50-A” as New York has one of the most restrictive statutes in the nation in regard to shielding police disciplinary records from the public, which is unacceptable. With the current pandemic, we also need to reorganize the economy to get it back off the ground and help small businesses get back on their feet. Small businesses are the backbone of our society, and we need reform that will jump-start the economy.

We need to get everyone back to work.

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

I have the experience of being an assemblyman and working within the government. I also have worked as a police officer, detective, judge and lawyer, so I am familiar with all sides of the law. With my 10 years of experience at the Assembly, I have learned how to work across the aisle in order to get things done for the good of our communities. I have worked to bring results to the entire community. To me, the law is what matters, not who the sponsor of the bill is. Since my election to the Assembly, I have been an advocate for a more transparent government, seeking an ethics reform, which I plan to continue to fight for should I have the chance to represent the 15th Assembly District for another term. Already, I have been able to introduce a bill for pension forfeiture for politicians who are convicted of crimes, which is how we got the civil forfeiture of pensions for criminal politicians on a state level.

Additionally, it is not fair to have the ideals of one party not be represented in Albany, which is right now dominantly run by one party. We need to make sure all voices are heard. This super majority is not how government is supposed to work. This one-sided, one-way, one party mentality is not going to get results. I will fight for the everyday men and women, who sadly seem to be forgotten by the majority, across New York. I will demand answers for the mishaps of the COVID-19 pandemic, the economy, and other legislative issues facing New York. This type of change takes time, it doesn’t happen overnight, which is why I am dedicated to seeing it through. I will continue to be a strong, independent voice for those whose party is not in the majority. Over the last decade I have fought for our communities, unlike my opponent who has taken this opportunity to take many unwarranted shots at my character.

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

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

The main issues I plan to continue to fight for in Albany are as I mentioned before: repairing our economy and supporting the small businesses that are suffering due to the pandemic, lowering taxes, implementing an ethics reform to give constituents a more transparent government and hold elected officials accountable, getting proper funding for our schools, fighting for nursing home and assisted living facilities residents’ rights, supporting first responders and those who protect our communities, and protecting our local environment, making sure we have things such as clean water and eliminating harmful toxins in our communities such as the Grumman Plume. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives in many ways, so I will continue to demand answers for the nursing homes deaths and create a better plan for a second wave as we must be prepared if this happens again. I will ensure, we as a community, have the proper personal protective equipment available to us, and those protecting us, at a reasonable price.

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

I take pride in every bill I have passed, working across the aisle, spending countless hours and days up in Albany working hard for our community. I was able to get the pension forfeiture law passed soon after being elected. I have handled the job for the past 10 years and will continue to do so. I have worked as a police officer, a judge and a lawyer I understand all sides of the law, which makes me ideal for this position to as I can see things from another perspective. My career has given me a perspective that others without my background may not have.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Put people before politics and always remember you work for your constituents and to put them first.

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

I care deeply about our communities and want to continue to fight for them and be their voice in Albany. Representing the community as a whole and getting the job done in a way that works for everyone is of the utmost importance. I want to make the voice of Long Island heard, because it is often hidden in the shadow of New York City. We deserve to be heard and not lumped in with the politics of New York City, because their values do not represent life on Long Island.