Meet The Candidates: Andrew Garbarino For Congress

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.

Republican Andrew Garbarino, 36, of Sayville, is running for New York's 2nd Congressional District. The seat was occupied by longtime Rep. Pete King, who announced last year he will not be seeking re-election this year.

The district covers Levittown, North Wantagh, Seaford, South Farmingdale and Massapequa. Suffolk County communities include Amityville, Copiague, Lindenhurst, Gilgo, West Babylon, Wyandanch, North Babylon, Babylon, Baywood, Brentwood, Brightwaters, Central Islip, Islip, Great River, Ocean Beach, Oakdale, West Sayville, Bohemia, West Islip and Ronkonkoma.

He is running against Democrat Jackie Gordon.

Garbarino is an attorney and assemblyman for New York’s 7th District. His brother is an assistant town attorney in Islip.

After graduating from Sayville High School, Garbarino received a bachelor's degree from The George Washington University and a law degree from Hofstra Law School.

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 a lifelong Long Islander with a strong family history both living in and operating small family-owned businesses in our community. I chose to put stay here on Long Island’s South Shore for many of the same reasons countless Long Islanders have done so before me – communities complete with thriving downtowns filled with longstanding family-owned businesses, strong schools, and safe neighborhoods. The uniqueness of Long Island has never been lost on me, and I have made it my mission to make Long Island an even better place to live, work, and raise a family. That means making sure criminals are kept behind bars, and the men and women of law enforcement have the resources they need to keep us safe. I am running for Congress to deliver real results for working class Long Island families.

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

A few months ago I would have mentioned several different issues that were pressing, but after what has been happening in NYC and on Long Island recently, I think the most pressing issue now is Public Safety.

As a member of the Codes Committee in the New York State Assembly, I spoke out against the Democrat’s disastrous bail reform laws that have allowed criminals to walk free and in many cases reoffend, in our communities. Democrats told me I was exaggerating what would happen and that we shouldn’t deal in hypotheticals. These are no longer hypotheticals. Criminals are being released onto the streets every day and crime is through the roof. Now, Democrats in Washington want to take New York’s failed criminal justice reforms nationwide. We have seen the destruction in New York State and we can’t let that happen nationwide. I’ll stand up to AOC and Nancy Pelosi, especially when it comes to protecting our communities and will NEVER vote to defund our police.

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

Long Islanders don’t want their next member of Congress to come from a party that introduced federal legislation to defund the police. A party that thinks the way we solve an economic crisis is by taxing more, not less. They want someone who will work to fix their pothole, help them with unemployment, solve their veterans issues, lower their taxes, and work to keep our communities safe.

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

Congressman Pete King is retiring after decades of public service. I cannot thank him enough for all he has done for Long Islanders -- he will truly be missed.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I believe in fighting for those who give everything for their fellow citizens -- the brave men and women in law enforcement as well as our veterans. Whether it be standing up to the radical liberals calling to defund the police or working to ensure our veterans have a roof over their head and food on their table, I will never abandon those who put their lives on the line every single day to keep ours safe. Protecting the environment, including the Great South Bay, is of the utmost importance to ensure future generations of Long Islanders get to experience the same great benefits of growing up here, just as generations of Long Islanders before them have. New York and Long Island are in desperate need of Infrastructure investment. Our roads, bridges, sewers, and energy infrastructure are outdated and crumbling and it needs to be addressed sooner than later. Lowering taxes and supporting local small businesses are the key to boosting our economy after it was shut down due to Covid.. Long Islanders already have some of the highest costs of living in the country, which is why I will fight to restore the SALT tax deduction. I look forward to working on these issues, and more to continue to deliver results for Long Island families.

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

Since 2013, I’ve represented much of the south shore in the New York State Assembly. In the Assembly, I have written and supported legislation to increase state funding for area school districts, worked to protect our island’s environment including the Great South Bay, opposed tax hikes, and supported our local heroes in law enforcement. I look forward to continuing to deliver results for Long Island families, in Congress. I have also helped thousands of constituents with issues with agencies throughout New York State Government. My constituents put me in office to make their lives better, not my own, so I have worked tirelessly to solve as many constituent problems as I possibly could, whether it was a Town, County, State or Federal issue.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

When I was growing up my mom always said to me "Andrew, make sure you do the right thing". That has always stuck with me. In my life when there was a tough decision I had to make or a tough action I had to take, I always remembered hearing my mom in the back of my head saying, "Andrew, make sure you do the right thing."

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

I am an honest person that cares deeply about my community. I grew up here, my dad grew up here and started a local business, and my grandfather grew up here and started a local business. I will always do the right thing for my community. I want to be an effective legislator and want to make sure my constituents everyday lives are better through my actions.