New York State Republican Chairman Ed Cox’s Suffolk County roots are strong and deep. The leader of the NYS GOP has a lot on his plate, literally and figuratively, as he had breakfast with South Shore Press News Director Stefan Mychajliw at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington DC.
The two got together to talk state and national politics during the Inauguration of President Donald J. Trump.
Here is an excerpt from their on-the-record conversation:
South Shore Press News Director Stefan Mychajliw: “Your roots run deep in Suffolk County.”
NYS Republican Chairman Ed Cox: “That’s where I was brought up. We’ve had a home there since 1870. We live in the same house. A touch modernized. We got rid of the outhouse.”
SSP: “Got rid of the well.”
Cox: “That’s right.”
SSP: “What are your initial thoughts Chairman, as a cold weather guy, I can handle cold for longer periods of time. What are your thoughts on moving the inauguration inside?”
Cox: “You might be able to. But Washington can’t. They’re not used to the snow and cold. With the weather it was going to be very difficult. Reagan did this, moving everything in the Rotunda.”
SSP: “What are your thoughts on the excitement of the inauguration?”
Cox: “Tremendous excitement. We can have real change in our politics. The Republican Party is on its way to becoming the majority party in the country. The working men and women, who live paycheck to paycheck, they went for Trump. They’re coming our way.”
SSP: “Immigration was a huge issue Chairman, for folks in Suffolk County, New York City, and the whole state. What do you think a Trump Presidency means for folks in Suffolk County concerning immigration?”
Cox: “Immigration is a serious issue on Long Island. And for New York City. It is the only city in the nation with a right to shelter. That’s very attractive to illegal immigrants. It’s a sanctuary city. It’s a huge amount of money that Mayor Adams was spending. Mayor Adams was turning on President Biden on the issue of illegal immigration, and look what happened to him. He got indicted.”
SSP: “Lawfare to the extreme.”
Cox: “It was lawfare. Too coincidental. He was headed to the White House to talk with President Biden, and all of a sudden they took his cell phone.”
SSP: “Suffolk County now, let’s talk taxes. Whether it’s SALT deduction or cutting taxes in general, there seems to be relief coming with President Trump in Office.”
Cox: “No doubt they’re going to lift the (SALT) cap. The question is: how much? I think they’re going to lift it where 90% of the people are positively impacted by it. Middle class, basically, and workers across New York.”
SSP: “Let’s talk statewide politics now Looking ahead to 2026, is the Governor’s race a big target?”
Cox: “We have to win local races first in 2025. There’s a lot in play in New York.”