Meet The Candidate: Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick For NY State Senate

MALVERNE, NY — With Election Day approaching, Patch is bringing profiles of several candidates.

Name:
Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick

Campaign website
https://www.patriciaforsenate....

City or town of residence
Malverne, NY

Office sought
New York State Senate District 9

Party affiliation
Republican/Conservative

Education
I'm a graduate of New York University School of Law,
St. John’s University School of Law and College of Business Administration,
and Maria Regina High School.

Occupation
I've practiced law for 27 years, including at Deloitte & Touche, LLP and Morgan Lewis & Bockius, before becoming partners with my father and starting Canzoneri & Canzoneri LLP, 21 years ago.

Family
After my late husband James suddenly passed away at a young age, I raised my four children - Thomas, Katherine, Elizabeth, and Christina - as a single mother. I'm now married to my wonderful husband Kevin.

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

Age
57

Previous public office, appointive or elective
Yes. I've served as a Malverne Village Trustee since April 2021 and previously served as Trustee from July 2011-April 2018. I also served as Malverne's Police Commissioner from 2016-2018.

Why are you seeking this office?
As a former Police Commissioner and mother of four, I'm running for State Senate to protect Long Island Families and Seniors. From soaring taxes and inflation to pro-criminal policies like cashless bail that release killers, rapists, and other violent thugs from jail, our wallets and our safety are under attack. I'm running to restore common sense to Albany and build a future where my four children can afford life in New York and feel safe living here.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Crime. We have a public safety crisis in New York State. Since cashless bail laws that free killers, rapists, and other violent thugs from jail were passed, 87% of the people arrested in Nassau County have been released immediately after arrest and major crime is up 60%. As the former Police Commissioner of the Village of Malverne, I know that we need tough on crime policies to protect our communities. I’ll invest in law enforcement as Senator, ensuring they have the resources needed to protect us. I’ll also oppose all efforts to defund police and fight against policies that threaten our safety, such as cashless bail, the Clean Slate Act to clear criminal records for felons, and other radical attempts to empty prisons.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
While I served as Commissioner of Malverne's Police Department, my opponent proudly accepted the endorsement of a police-defunder group. He even voted to bust the property tax cap and hike taxes 6 times in his village as inflation and gas prices soar. We need to cut taxes to fight inflation, not raise them, which is why I'll work to cut taxes on income, commuting, and utilities as your next Senator. Finally, my opponent was handpicked to carry on the work of former Senator Todd Kaminsky, co-author of cashless bail laws that free killers, rapists, and drug dealers into our community. I'll vote to repeal these dangerous laws that caused a crime spike statewide and threaten our safety.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?
While I'm running for an open seat, my opponent was handpicked to carry on the work of former Senator Todd Kaminsky, co-author of cashless bail laws that free killers, rapists, and drug dealers into our community and caused a crime spike statewide.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
With soaring inflation and gas prices on the rise, we must do everything possible to put more money in the pockets of taxpayers and less in the coffers of government. That’s why I’ll work to cut taxes on income and utilities, make the gas tax cut permanent, and deliver real property tax relief by expanding the STAR program, protecting the property tax cap, and enhancing property tax rebate checks – all while limiting new spending and cutting waste in the State Budget. I’ll vote to repeal the $1 Billion Commuter Tax on drivers entering NYC, which could cost you up to $34.50 in tolls to drive into Manhattan. I’ll also implement stricter penalties for hate crimes to further combat the rise of antisemitism in Nassau. Finally, as a mother of four, I’ll work to restore parent rights in education and champion curriculum transparency amid extremist attempts to mandate sex education for Kindergartners.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?As a single mother who worked tirelessly to keep my family afloat, there’s no one better to protect our tax dollars. It’s that dedication to watching the bottom line that earned me the role of Malverne’s Deputy Mayor and Budget Director, where I successfully protected the character of our suburban neighborhoods while controlling property taxes and improving services. Under my tough on crime leadership as Police and Fire Commissioner, Malverne was also rated the second safest place in New York State. Finally, as a small business owner, I bring a private-sector mindset to government, seeking efficiency and cost-savings to fight for your wallet.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
As my father always told me, leave everything better than you found it, treat everyone you meet with respect, and always put your best foot forward.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I'm proud to have the endorsement of law enforcement, including the Nassau County PBA, DAI, and SOA, Suffolk County PBA, SDA, and SOA, NYC PBA, and Police Conference of NY, among others, because they trust my record on public safety.