Candidate Profile: Dylan Rice For New York Assembly District 8

SMITHTOWN, NY — Election Day is right around the corner, and voters will choose between Democratic challenger Dylan Rice and incumbent Republican state Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick in the general election Nov. 3 for New York state Assembly District 8.

The 8th district covers Smithtown, St. James, Kings Park, Nissequogue, Head of the Harbor, and portions of Hauppauge, Commack, and Fort Salonga.

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

Here are their answers, lightly edited for clarity.

Dylan Rice

Age as of Election Day (Nov. 3)

23

Town of residence

Smithtown

Position Sought

State Assembly

Party Affiliation

Democratic Party

Family

Catherine Rice, Howard Rice, Nicholas Rice, Catherine Rice

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Education

Suffolk County Community College
Fashion Institute of Technology (Advertising and Marketing Communications)

Occupation

Unemployed due to COVID-19 (Previously worked in menswear for three years)

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

N/A

Campaign website

dylanriceforny@gmail.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

"I realized that I wanted to run for public office and represent my community after my time serving as a Community College Representative for the SUNY Student Assembly. In that organization, I was elected on the promise that my constituents would have a proper seat at the table. That's the same reason I'm running in District 8, to get us the representation that we deserve.

"I want to fight to make Albany work for all of us, not just the ultra-wealthy and special interests. Working families and the Middle Class have been left behind by established and entrenched politicians, and I want to turn the tide in our favor.

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

"Apathy. We have become apathetic towards our future and towards our potential. We have lost faith in our institutions, and understandably so. Corruption runs rampant and partisanship fueled by greed continues to divide us. If we want to progress, and tackle the issues that continue to hold us back, we need to reinvigorate our spirit and take an active part in our society. This includes voting in an informed manner, and holding our government accountable."

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

"My opponent has made a name for himself as a right-wing ideologue. His voting record illustrates that his priorities are not conservative, but regressive and not in-line with the current opinions and beliefs of the majority of voters. He has served for more than a decade and has little to show for it. Instead of tackling the ingrained corruption within the system and fighting to empower average voters, he refuses to address it and instead keeps the power in the hands of the special interests that fund his campaigns.

"I'm proud to be running a grassroots campaign that rejects donations from the ultra-wealthy and special interests and instead intends to give power back to the voters and taxpayers. My policy proposals are forward-thinking and backed by research and science, while his policies are drafted and guided by the same groups and individuals who want to maintain the status quo at an incredible cost to average New Yorkers. I'm proud to be a foil to him and to stand on the side of working families and the Middle Class."

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

"His voting record is emblematic of an ideologue who puts the interests of his donors ahead of the concerns of his constituents. His adamant refusal to adjust to the modern issues and concerns that face New York has left District 8 behind, and his constituents are suffering. Folks my age have limited opportunities and almost no ability to remain in the district, and he has failed to address the reasons behind this. Instead of fighting for a fair tax system that lifts the undue burden from working families and the Middle Class, he continues to seek tax cuts for those who have consistently avoided paying their fair share. Our District has so much potential, but my opponent has failed to provide the representation needed to unleash it."

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

"Passing the New York Health Act which will provide healthcare as a human right and save taxpayers and the state a conservative estimate of 10 billion dollars.

"Protecting our environment and drinking water by investing in infrastructure and investing in green energy, industry, and research.

"Protecting small businesses in the wake of COVID-19 and ensuring that those hurt by the pandemic and the resulting economic hardships receive the assistance that they need."

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

"During my time in the SUNY Student Assembly, I was proud to both advocate for necessary changes and policy and to tackle issues within the organization itself. I rejected the easy and self-serving role of sycophant and maintaining the status quo and instead fought for a better system and those who needed to be heard. I saw it as something akin to a trial run, to see if my own ethical code and beliefs would be able to work in a political environment, and I am proud to say they did.
I've worked hard all my life and have never compromised my beliefs, and I am proud to be running to represent my community and to bring that same energy and passion to Albany."

The best advice ever shared with me was:

"To thine own self be true."

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

"That I'm running for office not in service to myself, but to my community. It would be easy to ignore all of the issues that affect our day to day lives and place the blame on the politicians who time and again fail us. But instead of accepting the current issues as what simply is, I decided to instead imagine what could be. I refuse to believe that our best days are behind us, and that policies that bring us back in time will solve the issues of today. I'm looking forward, not backward. We can tackle these issues head on and fight for a New York that works for all of us, rather than the few."