Giangregorio 'Honored' To Represent 19th Legislative District

MERRICK, NY — Merrick resident Michael Giangregorio, who forged a career in the financial industry, is heading to Mineola, after winning Tuesday's special election for the Nassau County Legislature.

"It was very exciting," Giangregorio told Patch. "It was a very short learning curve."

Giangregorio easily defeated Democrat Robert Miles, who served as counsel for the Legislature's Minority Caucus. The seat became available when Steve Rhoads moved on to the state senate.

The cliché "hit the ground running" would describe Giangregorio's experience, who had only about a month of campaigning from Freeport to Seaford. The immediacy of the special election also means he'll be sworn in as soon as the votes are certified. He hopes to take office within the next two weeks.

"The best part of it was walking through the community and meeting people," he said.

Giangregorio said quality-of-life issues resonated most with his new constituents and he wants to work at fulfilling the needs of homeowners.

"We want to make sure that our police are fully trained, fully funded, so that we can maintain safe streets," Giangregorio said.

Another concern is rising taxes.

His background in the financial world, along with being on the board of two autism foundations, gives Giangregorio a unique perspective to address the perpetual problem.

"I'm used to working with budgets. I'm used to trying to be creative, thinking outside the box," he said. "Where can we go for some state dollars, in the form of grants, to help us do some of the things that we need to do?"

Giangregorio and his wife have called Merrick home since they got married in 1998.

"I'm honored that the people of the 19th district elected me to represent them," he said. "I will work hard for those who have cast their vote and I will work hard for those who haven't, to show that I am working for everyone."