Assemblyman Joe DeStefano kicked off his reelection campaign for a fifth term with a well-attended fundraiser at Patchogue’s VIP Room, drawing local officials, community leaders, and supporters.
“I’m truly grateful for the encouragement, energy, and support from so many friends, colleagues, and neighbors,” DeStefano said. He offered a special thank you to the VIP’s attending the event, including Patchogue Mayor Paul Pontieri, Suffolk County Legislators Nick Caracappa and Dominic Thorne, Judge Pat Blake, County GOP Chairman Jesse Garcia, and representatives from the law enforcement, labor, and emergency services community.
“Public service has been imbedded in the character of Joe DeStefano for most of his adult life,” Garcia said, citing his decades-long record of community involvement and public safety service.
DeStefano, who joined the Medford Fire Department as a teenager, has served for 47 years as a volunteer, including 30 years as a fire district commissioner. “By getting reelected to the state Assembly, I’m looking to continue a public legacy that I started when I was 19 years old,” he said. “I’m not done yet.”
Now back in Albany for the 2026 legislative session, DeStefano said his priorities include affordability, public safety, and creating a more realistic state energy policy. He’s pushing to reform the cashless bail law that enables repeat offenders and is working to repeal the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act to better protect ratepayers.
DeStefano also highlighted Assembly Republican proposals aimed at inflation relief, regulatory reform, child care tax incentives, and transportation fairness, including opposition to the MTA payroll tax and congestion pricing.
“I’m especially proud of the constituent services provided by my office,” DeStefano said. “People know they can come to us with any problem, and we will help them.”
First elected in 2018, DeStefano represents the 3rd Assembly District, which includes Bellport, Brookhaven, East Patchogue, Farmingville, Mastic, Mastic Beach, Medford, Middle Island, Holtsville, Ridge, Shirley, and Yaphank. He is a long-time resident of Medford, where he lives with his wife, Linda. “I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without the encouragement and support of my family,” the Assemblyman concluded.