Candidate Profile: Mike LiPetri For Congress

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY - New Yorkers will be hitting the polls on June 23 for the primary election to choose which representatives will be running will be on the ballot for the general election in November.

Among the local races, Long Islanders will be able to elect who will run for New York's second congressional district. The seat was occupied by longtime longtime U.S. Rep. Pete King, who announced in November he will not be seeking re-election this year.

The district covers Levittown, North Wantagh, Seaford, South Farmingdale and Massapequa. Suffolk County communities include Amityville, Copiague, Lindenhurst, Gilgo, West Babylon, Wyandanch, North Babylon, Babylon, Baywood, Brentwood, Brightwaters, Central Islip, Islip, Great River, Ocean Beach, Oakdale, West Sayville, Bohemia, West Islip and Ronkonkoma.

In anticipation of the election, Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Mike LiPetri, 30, of Massapequa is running for the republican seat for U.S. Congress.

Andrew Garbarino will also be running for the republican ballot while Jackie Gordon and Patricia Maher are both running for the democratic ballot.

LiPetri received his J.D. from Albany Law School of Union University and his bachelor's degree from the University at Albany (SUNY).

He is currently a non-practicing attorney by profession and serves as an elected official representing the 9th Assembly District in the New York State Assembly.

Check out Patch's full Q&A with LiPetri below:

Patch: Why are you seeking elective office?

LiPetri: To give the people a voice. I strongly believe that if you want to make a difference, you need to be involved in the community. Being your next Congressman would mean the people have someone who they can count on to always do what is right, not what is easy. Someone who leads by action, not words. Someone who believes in individual responsibility and isn’t a product of nepotism but rather his own effort and can relate to what it actually means to be a member of the hard-working middle class on Long Island.

P: The single most pressing issue facing our nation/state/community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

L: Reviving the American economy and maintaining our position as a world power as we move past COVID-19. Total lockdown has generated catastrophic harms. The economic hardships unfairly forced on millions of American workers and small business owners has reached a tipping point. As your next Congressman, I would immediately pass legislation providing for all administrative agencies to waive any federal regulation that imposes an unreasonable burden on American businesses, charities, educational institutions, and other employers.

By doing so, we can help reduce costs, increase private sector investment, and assist in the overall economic recovery. We must also bring back American manufacturing – especially here on Long Island – in order to ensure that the United States is never dependent on another nation for its own success!

P: What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

L: I am self-made, unlike my opponent who is the son of the Islip Republican Party Boss and a creature of the establishment. I am the only candidate who leads by action, has been vocal and doesn’t hide in the shadows from controversial issues.

I am a strong supporter of working men and women and our fundamental liberties as Americans including the 2nd Amendment. My opponent voted for legislation that strips gun owners of the right to bear arms without due process. I voted against this and am proud of my “A” rating and endorsement from the NRA.

Law-abiding Americans have every right to defend their homes, businesses, and families and I will always fight to defend these freedoms.

P: If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

L: This is an open seat; however, my opponent has failed to properly fix the Oakdale merge despite this being one of the single most important issues for his constituents. Promising studies, reports, and public hearings year after year comes to an end. As your Congressman, I will work to develop modern 21st century solutions to address this mess and bring the resources of the federal government here to Long Island to make things easier for commuters.

P: Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

L: Now more than ever, dignified work, strong families, and strong communities are key to economic and societal wellbeing. We need an economy that empowers people to get married, have children, and buy homes.

We must repeal the SALT tax cap and offer additional tax incentives to Americans who get married and have children, like waiving the income tax for women married with more than two children. I will push to repair our immigration system to prioritize legal immigrants and their immediate families based on merit and believe that we must fully fund our border wall and secure America’s national security at all costs.

I will also advocate for a 21st Century infrastructure vision that focuses on repairing our roads, bridges, highways and public water systems throughout Long Island.

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

L: I have been a fearless defender of our law enforcement community and America’s great Veterans.

I stood up to the anti-police rhetoric and introduced legislation criminalizing the heinous water dousing attacks on our police. When there were calls to abolish ICE, I publicly supported them by joining ICE Agents on raids across Long Island resulting in the removal of dangerous criminals from our communities.

When critical funding for Veterans Mental Health programs were cut, I was the leading voice to get these funds restored. I went toe-to-toe against Bill de Blasio and AOC over the disasters of “bail reform,” and spearheaded the creation and led the New York State Assembly Water Quality Task Force.

I successfully fought for additional funding for the full remediation of the Dzus Superfund Site in West Islip and have pushed hard for the long overdue cleanup of the Grumman-Navy Plume.

I am most proud of our successful rally for a permanent police presence at the Babylon Train Station when crime along with drug and alcohol abuse was leading to significant quality of life concerns for our hard-working Long Island commuters.

P: The best advice ever shared with me was:

L: Stick to your principles, because at the end of the day you have to look in the mirror and be able to say you gave it your best.

P: What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

L: I am giving up my Assembly seat to run for this position because I believe we are the right person for the job who will represent the 2nd Congressional District to the fullest.

Now is our time to have someone of the people, by the people, for the people.