Candidate Profile: Jodi Giglio For NY's 2nd Assembly District

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3 and GOP incumbent Jodi Giglio and challenger Michael Szika, a Democrat, and Kimberly Wilder, of Voter Options, are waging a fierce race to win the New York State 2nd Assembly District seat.

After redistricting, New York's 2nd Assembly District includes portions of the town of Brookhaven and Southampton, and the town of Riverhead.

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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.

Jodi Giglio

How old will you be as of Election Day?

58

Does your campaign have a website?

Jodiforny.com

What city or town do you live in?

Baiting Hollow

What office are you seeking?

NYS Assembly District 2

Party affiliation

Republican, Conservative

Education

Business classes at Stony Brook University in the evening to support my business.

What is your occupation?

Elected official, land use consultant, Executive Board Member, International Union ofOperating Engineers Local 138

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

I have three children, William 24, Jacob , 22, and Jessica, 22. They are all in the construction industry.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

I was president of the Riverhead Business Alliance, then on the Riverhead Town Board prior to being elected to the NYS Assembly.

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running for election and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

There is way too much spending in New York. Our state budget has grown from $175 billion to $275 billion in seven years and our seniors, veterans and people with disabilities have not been prioritized in those budgets. Our Medicaid budget has grown from $22 billion to $44 billion in five years. There is fraud that is not being investigated. One-party rule is not what our founding fathers wanted; they wanted to have a balance of power. Out-migration due to unaffordable policies in Albany are costing us more in utility rates, health care and every day items including food. I am, and if you elect me, will continue to be, a strong voice in Albany for New Yorkers.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing constituents is:

Affordability and taxes. As unfunded mandates from policies in Albany get pushed down to local government our taxes go up.

What needs to be done to address water quality issues on LI

Water quality issues should always be prioritized. I'm happy to say that I worked with (now-Southold Town Supervisor) Al Krupski when he was in the county legislature to get wells within my district tested. The results showed high levels of contamination. Working together with (current Rep.) Nick Lalota and County Executive Ed Romaine, now hundreds of houses have been connected to public water.

What do you think can be done to help improve our infrastructure, highways, etc.?

Prioritizing infrastructure for sewer and water, roads and bridges in the budget as they are basic functions of government. We must get back to the basic responsibility of government.

What would you plan to help local business owners, who are struggling because of high rents, inflation and labor shortages?

All of these issues can be traced back to unaffordable spending and policies in Albany that fall on business owners, including deliveries of goods, labor rates, the cost of insurance and utilities. Voters keep doing the same thing, over and over again and expecting a different result. The people I'm talking to are saying one-party rule has failed them. And it's time for change. We need checks and balances, not an unlimited piggy bank that is breaking many taxpayers.

How are federal issues impacting local government?

When local government spends federal money outside of the guidelines set forth, that is fraud. We see cuts on the federal level because NY has been over generous with the federal money. New York has decided they will go to the taxpayers to make up the shortfall in aid, as explained previously — which is why our budget keeps growing and NY becomes less affordable.

What is your stance on how ICE enforcement has impacted local communities?

Law enforcement is tasked with upholding the law to keep us safe. The people who come here from other countries to cause harm to our citizenry should be jailed and deported. Our budget provides funding for lawyers for people who are here and committing crimes. People who are here to work on J1, H2A and H2A visas are here to work because they are an asset to our farmers and businesses. There should be a path to citizenship for those workers, not people who come and are dependent upon the government and our tax dollars

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

I am a business owner since 1997 and have three children who are trying to find their way here in NY. My business experience and having to make difficult decisions that affected my employees and children puts me in a position of knowing what will present a positive outcome. Taking the time to listen to my constituents and find answers provides a learning opportunity for me so I can better serve the next constituent with similar circumstances.

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

Hold the line on spending and getting back to the basic functions of government.

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

Bringing water and infrastructure funding home, helping veterans with programs that assist them including tackling mental health for them (JP Dwyer Peer-to-Peer Veterans' Support Program funding) and anyone who needs it, especially law enforcement who witnesses things on a daily basis that we would never have to witness.

As the ranker on the People with Disabilities Committee, creating a pathway for supportive, independent living so parents or guardians, who are aging out and can no longer take care of their children at home, know that when they are no longer on this earth, their children will live in a safe supportive environment. Additionally, I will continue my work on palliative care for people with disabilities so they can be released from hospital settings into a caring, capable setting to avoid costly placement in nursing homes.

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

I love being a public servant and working for my constituents. I read every bill and take every vote I make seriously. I am an independent thinker and do what I believe is in the best interest of all of my constituents.