Candidate Profile 2024: Lapolla Seeks Assembly Seat In District 99

MONROE, NY — In 2024's general election, residents of the Hudson Valley will be voting for federal, state and local officials. In anticipation, Patch asked candidates in the region's contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Tom Lapolla is challenging incumbent Christopher Eachus (D, WF) in NY Assembly District 99, which includes parts of Orange and Rockland counties.

The 36-year-resident of the town of Monroe is running on the Republican and Conservative lines.

Education: 80 college credits. Graduate of NYC Police Academy and NYC Fire Academy. Numerous professional training courses

Age: 61

Occupation: Retired as Battalion Chief after 38 years with FDNY

• https://lapollaforassembly.com
• @LapollaForNY

Why are you seeking this office?

With a Democrat supermajority in both legislative chambers, it's clear that one-party rule is not conducive to good governance here in our state. I am running to represent the good folks of the 99th AD to give them the voice they deserve in Albany.

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

My opponent voted to place Proposal 1, the ERA Amendment, on the ballot this November. The amendment's language is extremely broad and provides no guard rails for the protection of children. If it passes, "age" and "gender identity" would become new protected classes, affording minor children the ability to emancipate themselves from their parents, quite possibly to seek out life altering, and in some cases irreversible medical procedures. It would also allow biological males to participate in female sports, this will absolutely cause great harm to female athletics at all levels of competition.

What other issues are you addressing during your campaign?

Crime, the illegal immigrant crisis, and high taxes are the issues which I have been talking about with the citizens of the 99th Assembly District.

• Crime: I support the repeal of the cashless bail policy which would protect not only the citizens of our state, but our police officers as well - my opponent has been silent. I would support all legislation which would give law enforcement the necessary tools to keep us all safe.
• Illegal Immigration: I support passage of "Laken's Law", which would require law enforcement agencies to notify Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when they arrest an illegal immigrant. This bill is named after a young college student from Georgia after she was brutally murdered by an illegal immigrant after he was released on bail in NYC when he then fled to Georgia - my opponent has been silent on this.
• The economy: We have lost 6 billion dollars plus to outward taxpayer migration, and I would argue that the above two issues have certainly contributed to this, but also the high tax burden that the citizens of NYS continue to pay. High taxes and over regulation are also causing businesses to leave our state as well.

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

As a Battalion Chief in NYC I managed major fires and emergencies, leading the brave firefighters and EMTs of the NYC Fire Department to successfully mitigate these incidents. I also was an adjunct instructor at the NYC Fire Academy. And finally I was the FDNY Technical Advisor to the NYC Department of Buildings, where as a committee member, I assisted in the development of NYC building safety codes, collaborating with all industry stakeholders.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

"Lead, or someone else will"

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

As a father, and now a grandfather I understand the importance of protecting parental rights, which are slowly being eroded at the state level. Take for example Assembly Bill 6761, which would allow minors to consent to medical procedures without parental consent. Top Democrat leaders introduced this bill without objection from my opponent. Parental rights transcend political ideology, and when I get to Albany, I will do everything I can to protect these G-d given rights.