Candidate Profile: Mike LiPetri For 3rd Congressional District

FARMINGDALE, NY — Election Day is fast approaching and voters in parts of Nassau County will decide whether to send incumbent Tom Suozzi back to Congress. He faces Republican Michael LiPetri Jr. in the 3rd Congressional District race. The 3rd covers much of Nassau's North Shore, and encompasses other parts of the county, including Hicksville, Levittown, Bethpage and Massapequa.

In anticipation of the election, Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns for candidate profiles ahead of Election Day. These responses are lightly edited for clarity.

Name: Mike LiPetri
Campaign website: www.lipetriforcongress.com
City or town of residence: Farmingdale, NY
Office sought: United States Congress (NY-03)
Party affiliation: Republican
Education: SUNY Albany; Albany Law School
Occupation: Attorney
Family: Single. No children.
Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No.
Age: 34
Previous public office, appointive or elective: NYS Assemblyman, 9 th District (2018-
2020)

Why are you seeking this office?

“This is our home – I want to be our congressman.
I’ve lived in this district my entire life. I’ve represented it in the New York State
Assembly. My generation is fleeing Long Island. Our parents can’t afford to stay here.
It’s time for next generation common sense leadership to be our voice. I have skin in
the game and my future is right here on Long Island. This is personal.”
What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this
post? “My opponent is a career politician whose time in office has resulted in our
quality of life going down and our cost of living going up. He abandoned this seat to
selfishly run for higher office. He made millions trading stocks in Congress violating
the STOCK Act 300 times. Tom Suozzi doesn’t represent us – he’s in it for himself. As
a NYS Assemblyman I delivered on every promise I made. I took on the tough fights
and I didn’t back down. It’s time for a fresh start.”

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

“We have an affordability problem on Long Island and it is a result of decades of Democrat over-
taxation and over-regulation. I want to make life easier for working moms and
families. I want to create new incentives that make it easier to start a family not make
life harder. It starts with lifting the SALT Tax Cap. It’s about advancing policies like
no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and no tax on social security. We work too hard
for our money to Washington D.C. politicians like Tom Suozzi just give it away.”
What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this
job? “I have always done what is right – not what is easy. When there were
widespread calls to abolish I.C.E., I joined I.C.E. Agents for a ride-along right here on
Long Island to see them apprehend and deport violent criminals here illegally. During
the height of the ‘Defund the Police’ movement, I was the only state legislator from
Long Island to vote against ALL anti-police bills and 100% stand with law enforcement. When Andrew Cuomo shut down our small businesses and locked our kids out of school, I was the first to call out the hypocrisy and fight for those who needed it most. It was our action that resulted in children with developmental disabilities get their services back during COVID. I have and always will do what is right.”

What problems facing your district would you look to solve if you are elected/re-
elected?

“This campaign is very simply about the A.B.C.’s. Affordability, border, and
crime. We need to create safe and affordable communities and we need to secure our
border and deport those here illegally while establishing a LEGAL merit-based
immigration system. All this is possible by voting Republican starting October 26 th
and on Election Day November 5 th!”
Cancer is a prominent health issue for Long Islanders and is a leading cause of death
for children.

What measures would you take to help lower cancer rates and bolster research in the field?

“Cancer and the overall health of our society is a major concern. I want to work with healthcare providers to address the root cause of problems. Encourage healthy lifestyle choices. Lower the obesity and chronic disease rates. We can not only drive down healthcare costs but help prevent cases of cancer and disease all while living healthier and more productive lives.”

What would you do to help small businesses struggling with inflation and the cost of
goods needed to manufacture their products?

“We need to roll back the regulations that are crippling small businesses. We need to encourage entrepreneurship and the trades in our schools so the students of today are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow.

When COVID hit, Democrats shut down our small businesses while allowing big box
stores to stay open. That’s not right. It never made sense. By getting out of the way
and allowing small business owners to operate and thrive in their communities we
can ensure their doors stay open for decades to come.”

Water quality is critical to the region. What plans do you have to help improve water
quality and keep it safe for generations?

“As a NYS Assemblyman I was chair of the statewide Water Quality Taskforce. I led efforts to remove emerging containments and I support upgrading our critical water infrastructure. The difference is that I support bottom up solutions where local communities and water districts have a greater say in the process instead of top down government control and mandates.”

How can the immigration crisis be addressed at the federal and local level? Can
federal and local officials work together?

“Federally we need to shut down our border, take back control from the cartels, deport those here illegally starting with gang members and criminals, and establish a LEGAL merit-based immigration system where the best and brightest are fast tracked and criminals get the boot.
Locally, we need to end the system of migrant handouts. Hotels, credit cards, cell
phones, healthcare, and more all have to go. It’s a slap in the face to law-abiding
American taxpayers. I support a plan that will incentivize local officials to work with
federal law enforcement agencies. Right now we have violent criminal gangs taking
over our streets. TDA – a Venezuelan gang is running wild in NYC. We cannot allow
this to spill over into NY-03.”

What can be done about inflation, which some say can be attributed to price
gauging?

“We need to become more energy independent. When we lower energy costs, the costs of goods and doing business comes down across the board. Common sense economy policies that put American taxpayers first – it’s that simple.”

The median cost of renting on Long Island falls between $2,000 and $3,100. How can more affordable housing options be created?

“We need to make life more affordable across the board – from the cost of goods and childcare to housing and healthcare. I want to explore public-private partnerships that create low-interest first-time homebuyers loans for those who qualify. Instead of businesses fleeing Long Island, we need more startups and business growth which will bring better paying jobs for young professionals. We need no tax on social security so seniors can afford to stay here. It’s about common sense.”

What is your stance on SALT (State and Local Tax Relief) What needs to be done to
keep Long Island streets safe from crime?

“I support totally lifting the SALT tax cap. My opponent promised to get this done and failed – again.”

The DWI/DWAI rate is escalating island wide. What measures can you fight for, to
address the escalating addiction crisis?

“We need to address the root causes of addiction many times mental health related. More resources on the local level. More resources for parents. Keeping parents informed of what their kids are doing in schools not trying to strip away parental rights like Democrats are proposing.
Increased education combined with increased funding and resources will help drive
down the addiction crisis.”

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

“My grandfather, an Army Veteran, very simply told me that if you want to make a difference you have to get involved. He is the reason I became a NYS Assemblyman. He is the reason I always do what is right – not what is easy. He is the reason I will be a United States Congressman that
the residents of NY-03 will be proud to have serve as their voice in Washington D.C.”
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your
positions? “I’m a next generation common sense republican. I support women’s
rights. I am 100% opposed to a national ban and I trust women. It’s common sense.”