Assemblyman Joe DeStefano seeks reelection

State assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R, C) will be seeking reelection in the Third District this Nov. 5. He was first elected to the New York State Assembly in 2018.

“I am seeking reelection to a fourth term to continue my long career of service to my community,” he said. “I have a good reputation for constituent service over my last three terms as an assemblyman and have spent my career standing up for the hardworking men and women of our state.”

As assemblyman, DeStefano procured two local bills to designate the Long Island Expressway overpass at Yaphank Avenue as the “Sgt. Louis Bonacasa Memorial Bridge” and the overpass at Horseblock Road as the “Medford FD Commissioner Niel Marturiello Memorial Bridge.”

He said he is also proud of introducing the bill that cleared the way for the Patchogue-Medford Library to build its new Medford Branch. He has also helped secure hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant funding for other libraries, parks, EMS, veterans, and youth organizations in his district. 

His top priorities include making the community safer and more affordable, and protecting water and other natural resources.

“Keeping our water resources clean and protecting the environment is critical for a healthy population,” he said of backing sewers and I/A wastewater systems while eliminating cesspools. “I also support alternative energy sources such as Sunrise Wind and the green energy hub at the Brookhaven Landfill site.”

DeStefano said he also supports the 1/8 cent sales tax for sewers referendum and have joined with the county executive and local legislators to continually push for state and federal support to carry out Suffolk’s Comprehensive Water Resource Management Plan. 

DeStefano is also the co-sponsor of the Rescue New York agenda, which emphasizes cutting taxes, reducing regulations, and improving the state’s business climate.

He also noted that while he believes that reducing taxes and inflation will make housing more affordable, state and federal funds must also be made available for shovel-ready housing projects that require either new sewers or can be served by expanding existing facilities. 

Additionally, he said, he believes the SALT deduction should be reinstated.

“Paying taxes on dollars you need to use to pay other taxes is double taxation and simply not acceptable,” he said.

To reduce crime, he said he wants to stop illegal immigration and end the “defund the police rhetoric.”

Additionally, he said, his door is open to anyone for help with whatever concern or problem they have.

“Call me; I’ll call you back,” he said.

DeStefano, 64, a resident of Medford, is also the elected Medford Fire District commissioner. He is married to his wife Linda, with two children and two grandchildren.

His record of service dates back to 1980 when he joined the Medford Fire Department and Ambulance Service.

For the past 30 years, he’s served as a fire district commissioner, having also held the positions of fire police lieutenant, second lieutenant, department recording secretary, department vice president, and department president. He’s also served with the Medford Volunteer Ambulance for over 40 years. He was also the district manager of the Riverhead Fire District and is a life member of both the Medford Fire Department and Ambulance Company.

“I have been a district commissioner for more than 25 years and had a 28-year career with the Suffolk Sheriff’s Office,” he said, also noting he is an active member of many community groups, including the Medford Chamber of Commerce and Medford Taxpayers and Civic Association.

A 1978 Patchogue-Medford High School graduate, DeStefano also has an associate degree in business management from Suffolk Community College.

He went on to become a public safety communication supervisor in the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office for 28 years. He also served as the president of the Sheriff’s Probation Civilian Unit.

For more information about DeStefano and his campaign visit: www.votejoedestefano.com.

The democratic opponent for Assembly District 3, Trina R. Miles, is not actively campaigning.