Candidate Profile: Andrew Garbarino For NY 2nd Congressional District

LONG ISLAND, NY — Congressman Andrew Garbarino (R—NY) is seeking re-election to U.S. Congress in New York's 2nd Congressional District. He will be challenged by Democrat Jackie Gordon on Nov. 8 in what is a rematch of 2020.

Nassau County communities in the 2nd district include Levittown, North Wantagh, Seaford, South Farmingdale and Massapequa. Suffolk County communities include Amityville, Copiague, Lindenhurst, Gilgo, West Babylon, Wyandanch, North Babylon, Babylon, Bayport, Baywood, Brentwood, Brightwaters, Central Islip, Islip, Great River, Ocean Beach, Oakdale, West Sayville, Bohemia, West Islip and Ronkonkoma.

In anticipation of the election, Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will publish candidate profiles as election day draws near. Here are their answers, lightly edited for clarity.

Name

Andrew R. Garbarino

Campaign website

https://garbarinoforny.com/

City or town of residence

Bayport, NY

Office sought

Re-election for New York’s Second Congressional District

Party affiliation

Republican

Education

I went to Sayville High School where I participated in student government and worked at the local hardware store. As a man of faith, I received my communion and confirmation at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, where I still attend Mass on Sunday. After high school graduation, I went on to receive my BA in history and classical humanities from The George Washington University. I then returned to Long Island where I received my Juris Doctorate from Hofstra University.

Occupation

After graduating from Hofstra University, I joined my father at our family law firm in downtown Sayville. As a private attorney, I saw firsthand some of the challenges facing Long Islanders and how policy and law have a direct impact on people’s lives. That inspired me to run for a seat in the New York Assembly, where I served the 7th district for four terms. I now represent New York’s Second District in Congress and serve on the House Small Business Committee and the House Homeland Security Committee where I am the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Innovation.

Family

I am the proud son of a lawyer and small business owner and a teacher. I have one brother and two sisters. I also am the proud Godfather of three children; Lincoln, Madaline and Abigail.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My brother is an assistant town attorney.

Age

38

Previous public office, appointive or elective

Before running for Congress, I served four terms in the New York State Assembly representing the 7th District.

Why are you seeking this office?

I am seeking re-election because, as a lifelong resident of the south shore of Long Island, New York’s 2nd District is my home. The people I represent are my neighbors, my friends, and my family. We have accomplished so much together during my first term in Congress but, with Washington, D.C. under Democrat control, Long Islanders are experiencing record inflation, astronomical gas prices, and rising crime. Next Congress, we will focus on cutting back on excessive government spending in order to address inflation, restoring American energy production to bring down gas prices and reduce our reliance of foreign fuel, and passing legislation to secure the southern border, including by investing in additional manpower and physical and technological border security tools.

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

I have a demonstrated record of working across the aisle to get things done, both during my first term in Congress and throughout my service in the New York State Assembly. I was rated among the top 5 most bipartisan Freshmen Members of Congress and am the Co-Chair and lead Republican of several bipartisan Congressional Caucuses, including the Climate Solutions Caucus, the SALT Caucus, the Zoo and Aquarium Caucus, the Transatlantic Friends of Israel Caucus, and the Lupus Caucus. Each vote I cast is with the best interest of my constituents in mind, which is why I voted for The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which will bring over $170 billion to New York State for crucial repairs to our roads, bridges, sewer systems, and railways. I am also a former private attorney and in that job, I saw firsthand how laws and regulations impact people when applied in the real world, which is how I know that Congress must be intentional and judicious when imposing new laws and regulations on the American people. After two years of excessive spending and overregulation in Washington harming our economy’s ability to rebound from COVID-19, it is clear that we need a change of leadership, not another reliable vote for Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi’s out-of-touch agenda. I look forward to fighting to revitalize our local economy in the next Congress as part of a Republican Majority that will prioritize the issues that matter most to Americans - reducing inflation and crime, and improving public safety.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

My top priority has always been to help the people I represent. That starts by revitalizing our economy, supporting our law enforcement, first responders, and veterans, combating rising crime, and securing our border.

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

During my first term in Congress, I’ve proven that I believe in results-driven governing. Since entering Congress, I have introduced 19 pieces of legislation and cosponsored more than 460 pieces of legislation on behalf of New York’s Second District. More than 60 pieces of legislation I supported have passed the House of Representatives, including 7 I introduced – the VSO Support Act, the Small Business Development Center Cyber Training Act, the CISA Leadership Act Cybersecurity Grants for Schools Act of 2022, and the Transit Security Grant Program Flexibility Act, to name a few. I secured $4.45 million in Fiscal Year 2022 in appropriations for Community Funding Projects directly to the Second District and have had nearly $25 million for Community Funding Projects approved for inclusion in the House appropriations package for Fiscal Year 2023, including for critical sewer projects, flood resilience projects, law enforcement, Alzheimer’s services, local food banks, and small businesses services. I co-founded the Congressional SALT Caucus to fight to eliminate the SALT deduction cap and am the Republican lead of the 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act to ensure 9/11 first responders and survivors continue to have access to health care benefits for 9/11-related illnesses. Additionally, I’m especially proud that my team has helped over 3,000 constituents through casework including by returning over $4 million back to constituents from the government in the form of federal benefits and grant programs and assisting with over over 500 passport renewals.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

When I was first elected to the State Assembly, my mother told me that she was very proud of me but to always make sure that I do the right thing. Every time I vote in Washington, I think of her and make sure I am doing the right thing for my district and my constituents.