Candidate Profile: Anthony Palumbo, New York State Senate District 1

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, and voters will choose between incumbent Republican incumbent Anthony Palumbo and Sarah Anker, a Democrat, in the race for the New York State Senate District 1 seat.

Senate District 1 covers the East End towns of East Hampton, Southold, Shelter Island, Southampton, and Riverhead as well as some of eastern Brookhaven Town.

In anticipation of the election, Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns.

Here are their answers, lightly edited for clarity.

Name

Anthony H. Palumbo

Campaign website

palumboforsenate.com

City or town of residence

New Suffolk

Office sought

Re-election to NYS Senate, 1st District

Party affiliation

Republican

Education

St. John’s Law School (JD)/Lafayette College (BA)

Occupation

New York State Senator/Attorney

Family

My wife Tracy and I have two children both attending college this fall.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Age

54

Previous public office, appointive or elective

Before being elected to the New York State Senate in 2020, I served in the State Assembly from 2013 to 2020. Prior to running for state office, I was a Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney where I supervised major crimes and drug offenses on the East End of Long Island.

Why are you seeking this office?

I am running for re-election to the New York State Senate to bring balance to state government and advocate for common sense solutions to help make New York State and Long Island a safer and more affordable place for seniors and families.

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

My opponent boasts about wanting to join the Senate Majority, the same politicians who have implemented policies like cashless bail, congestion pricing and raised taxes on hardworking families across Long Island. As the Senate Republican Deputy Floor Leader, I have led the fight against these policies and others and have worked to reduce taxes, make our communities safer and deliver for the men and women of the 1st Senate District.

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

As Senator I have continually worked to protect our sensitive environment, region’s drinking water, and have secured hundreds of millions of dollars to protect our sole source aquifer. I also stopped the Governor’s attempt to cut state funding to Long Island schools and have fought to deliver historic increases in state education aid.

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

From forcing the Senate Majority to follow the State Constitution and have a full confirmation vote for the first Hispanic nominee to Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals to passing 57 bills, I have shown in four short years that I can be a leader in Albany and deliver for the various needs of the communities that I represent.

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

To help make our communities safer and protect our quality of life, I will continue to pass common sense legislation aimed at bolstering public safety. I will continue my efforts to increase penalties on reckless drivers, pass Chelsey’s Law to put drug dealers who lace their products with deadly fentanyl behind bars for much longer, and provide judges with greater discretion to keep dangerous offenders off our streets.

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?

Every year, my office partners with Stony Brook Medicine to host mobile mammography screenings throughout the East End to provide expanded access to this potentially live-saving service for residents. I have also worked to provide additional support and funding to Stony Brook and our region’s hospitals to help them provide greater treatment and care for families. Lastly, I have worked to secure funding and passed legislation to remove carcinogens from our environment and protect our drinking water from harmful chemicals.

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

I am honored to receive the Business Council of New York’s endorsement for my efforts to help the state’s small businesses and mom-and-pop shops. As Senator, I will continue my efforts to reduce burdensome regulations and high taxes that hinder growth and economic development, make needed investments in our infrastructure and support energy policies to fuel our economy and support our businesses.

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

This year, I co-sponsored and helped pass the Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act to provide important funding to upgrade our water infrastructure and ensure residents have access to clean drinking water. I also voted to increase funding to $500 million for clean water initiatives and worked with Suffolk County and the Town of Brookhaven to provide free hookups to public water for homeowners with contaminated wells in Brookhaven and Riverhead.

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

Washington and Albany’s response to the migrant crisis has been a disaster, one that has cost New York taxpayers over $4.3 billion. The federal government needs to close the border, and the state needs to rescind its sanctuary policies. These steps are needed to address the crisis. Inaction will only result in more taxpayer dollars going to a problem with no end in sight instead of properly funding our schools, hospitals and infrastructure.

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

Flawed federal policies are the main cause of inflation; and therefore, action in Washington is needed to address this critical problem that has been devastating to so many families and seniors on Long Island.

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

I sponsored and passed the Peconic Bay Affordable Housing Fund to provide local governments on the East End with the ability to build workforce housing. This law, which had to be adopted by local referendum, is a model that can be implemented on the state level and would ensure local control when planning for the development of needed workforce housing. I also passed a first time homebuyers tax credit, which is important assistance in helping young families afford a home and achieve the dream of homeownership on Long Island.

What is your stance on SALT (State and Local Tax Relief)?

SALT is a federal issue and I fully support Congressman LaLota’s efforts to reinstate the SALT deduction for Long Island taxpayers. On the state level, I will continue to work to pass legislation to double STAR benefits for families and seniors to lower their property taxes.

What needs to be done to keep Long Island streets safe from crime?

As the ranking Republican member on the Senate Codes and Judiciary Committees, I am working to provide law enforcement and district attorneys with the tools and resources they need to make our communities safer. I have led the effort to repeal cashless bail and to give judges greater discretion. I have fought to strengthen laws to protect crime victims, and victims of sexual abuse.

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

Reckless driving and drugged and impaired driving are growing concerns across Long Island. My Senate Republican colleagues and I have introduced several bills to keep our streets and communities safe such as Andrew’s Law, which would make aggravated vehicular homicide a violent crime, Nick’s Law, which would impose stricter penalties on drivers who flee the scene of an accident, and new legislation to crack down on street takeovers by increasing penalties on reckless drivers and those who obstruct emergency service vehicles.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

To keep an open mind and not rush to judgment. I take pride in thoroughly reviewing each bill that comes before my desk, whether for a committee vote, or a vote on the floor of the State Senate, to weigh its benefits and impact before casting my vote.

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

It has been an honor serving the men and women of the 1st Senate District and working on solutions to the myriad of issues facing our diverse communities. From supporting our agriculture, fishing and aquaculture industries, working to advance legislation to make our communities safer and more affordable, to protecting our water quality and environment, I am dedicated to addressing the concerns of the 1st Senate District and delivering results. I look forward to continuing my efforts to serve our communities in the New York State Senate.