GOP Backs Andrew Garbarino For Rep. Pete King's Seat

SAYVILLE, NY — Two months after longtime Republican U.S. Rep. Pete King said he would not seek reelection in 2020, the Nassau and Suffolk County GOP parties announced they found his successor.

State Rep. Andrew Garbarino of Sayville was announced as the official Republican designee to succeed King to represent New York's 2nd congressional district.

Garbarino was elected to serve the 7th Assembly District in November 2012. His district includes parts of southern Suffolk County, including Bay Shore, Islip, Patchogue, Sayville and Bohemia.

Currently in his fourth term as assemblyman, Garbarino is the ranking minority member of the insurance committee and sits on the committees for codes, health, higher education, and racing and wagering.

In a statement Tuesday, Garbarino said he was humbled and honored for the opportunity to represent the district.

"I have the right mix of experience and youth to know what the job entails and the stamina and enthusiasm to do it," he said.

Jesse Garcia, the Suffolk GOP chairman, called Garbarino an "ideal choice," citing his record of holding the line on taxes and fighting for Main Street businesses.

"The Republican Parties of Nassau and Suffolk County are united in their support of Andrew Garbarino to make this run to succeed our great, current Representative in Congress, Peter King," Garcia said. "Andrew has been a great Assemblyman and he is going to be a terrific congressman."

Joe Cairo, chairman of the Nassau County GOP party, said Garbarino's resume stood out among other worthy candidates.

"We had some great candidates from which to choose; however, Andrew Garbarino has the credentials, experience and priorities to be our next Congressman in the Second District," Cairo said.

Cairo added the party is united in its support of lowering taxes, limiting government's involvement in the day-to-day lives of its citizens and businesses, and providing a strong national defense.

"We need Andrew Garbarino in Congress to fight for us," Cairo said.

Garbarino also works at his family's law firm in Sayville. His family has owned and operated small businesses from Bay Shore to Patchogue for several decades.

A lifelong Sayville resident, Garbarino graduated from Sayville High School and received bachelor's degree in history and classical humanities from George Washington University in the nation's capital. He later earned a law degree from Hofstra University's School of Law.

King surprised many when he announced on Facebook his decision to forgo another run after talking with his wife and two children.

"The prime reason for my decision was that after 28 years of spending 4 days a week in Washington, D.C., it is time to end the weekly commute and be home in Seaford," King said. He said he also wants more time to spend with his children and grandchildren.

King, 75, served 14 terms as congressman and is a former Homeland Security Committee chairman.

That decision came shortly after his daughter, former Hempstead Town Councilwoman Erin King Sweeney, decided not to seek re-election. She said her family was instead moving to North Carolina.

"My daughter's recent move to North Carolina certainly accelerated my thinking," U.S. Rep. King sad.

New York's 2nd Congressional District includes the southern Nassau County districts of Seaford, Levittown, Massapequa and Farmingdale, as well as the southern Suffolk Counties of Amityville, Lindenhurst, West Babylon, Babylon, Islip, Deer Park, Brentwood, Bay Shore, Islandia, Ronkonkoma, Sayville and Bayport.

King won the district in 2018 with 53 percent of the vote, down from 62 percent in 2016 and 65 percent in 2014. The 2017 Cook Partisan Voter Index rates the district as R+3, indicating it was 3 percentage points more Republican than the national average.