Candidate Profile: Mario Mattera For New York Senate District 2
SMITHTOWN, NY — Election Day is right around the corner, and voters will choose between Republican candidate Mario Mattera and Democratic candidate Mike Siderakis in the general election Nov. 3 for New York State Senate District 2.
The 2nd district includes Centereach, Commack, Coram, Deer Park, Dix Hills, East Northport, East Setauket, Farmingville, Fort Salonga, Greenlawn, Hauppauge, Huntington, Huntington Station, Kings Park, Lake Grove, Lake Ronkonkoma, Medford, Melville, Nesconset, Northport, Port Jefferson, Port Jefferson Station, Ronkonkoma, Selden, Setauket, South Setauket, Smithtown, St. James and Stony Brook.
The seat is currently vacant following the retirement of Senator John Flanagan, a Republican.
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:
Mario Mattera
Age as of Election Day (Nov. 3)
57
Town of residence
Smithtown
Position Sought
State Senate
Party Affiliation
Republican
Family
Wife Terry - Married for 26 Years
Daughters Jessica (22) and Jayme (18)
Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No
Education
"As a plumber, my education has been through numerous apprenticeship classes learning my trade and through working at my craft. As someone who worked their way up through the union, I know how important it is to highlight the trades as a career because it has taught me how to lead and how to fight for what we need. This is an avenue that must be better realized as we continue to recover and rebuild following the impact of the COVID-19 crisis."
Occupation
"For the past four decades, I have been a proud member of the United Association Plumbers Local 200. I am currently the Business Agent for Local 200."
Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office
N/A
Campaign website
Why are you seeking elective office?
"Simply put – to improve the lives of my fellow Long Islanders.
"Throughout my adult life, I have been involved with numerous organizations and a member of a variety of boards to enhance the lives of all who live on Long Island. Through my work with groups like the Community Association of Greater St. James, the Smithtown Advisory Board, the St. Catherine’s Health and Wellness Advisory Board, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Labor Advisory Board and the Suffolk County Consumer Affairs Plumbing, Licensing and Fire Protection Board, I have gained invaluable experience and feel that this insight will serve our residents well in Albany.
"It is time to put the people of our state ahead of political aspirations and I am committed to working with anyone on either side of the political spectrum to improve the lives of all New Yorkers – with a focus on protecting Long Island families.
"I look forward to bringing that experience to Albany to fight for Long Island residents."
The single most pressing issue facing our nation/state/community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.
"Narrowing it down to one issue during this unprecedented time is truly difficult, but I would have to say ensuring our public safety is at the top of any list. As we continue to face the unrest associated with anti-police protests and the ongoing crisis, it is imperative that our residents know their communities and their families are safe. Following the bail 'reform' fiasco, we need to make sure that we back our police and enact laws that enhance public safety and don’t undermine the security of our residents."
What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
"Having the ability to work with a variety of people with differing affiliations and getting results for the residents of our region. Throughout both my time as a union leader and as an involved community member, I have worked with all interested parties for the betterment of our community. This includes securing funding for important projects, gaining non-partisan agreement on issues that would improve the lives of our residents and working with various entities to ensure our working men and women have the jobs they deserve. While some speak about their experience without having any quantifiable results, I have fought alongside many good people on both sides of the aisle to produce and to better the lives of all Long Islanders.
From securing funds for sewer projects to fighting to enhance the Hauppauge Industrial Association, the results-driven experience that I bring to this position will be essential in bringing our state and our community through this crisis and help us rebuild even stronger. Long Island must be more self-sufficient, and that will require a new, more effective approach, and I have the needed experience to get that done."
If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)
N/A
Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform
"Every issue that defines my campaign is based on bringing common sense government back to our state and enhancing the lives of Long Islanders.
- Repealing bail “reform” to keep our communities safe
- Restoring the rebate checks to put money back in the pockets of our families
- Investing in our infrastructure to create much-needed jobs and protect our environment
- Fighting to secure our region’s fair share of state education aid to enhance the education of our children and support our educators.
All these issues will help ensure that Long Island is self-sufficient and safe so our residents can withstand any future crisis — after this current year that should be everyone’s main focus."
What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
"Working with former Senator John Flanagan and the Town of Smithtown, led by Supervisor Ed Wehrheim, to secure millions for downtown sewers that will help our businesses grow to create jobs while protecting our precious underground drinking water.
"Working as a member of the Suffolk County Water Authority board as we invested in the infrastructure to safeguard our water supply and to ensure that it is as safe as possible for today’s residents and for future generations.
"Securing [personal protective equipment] for our essential workers who lacked the protective gear they needed.
"Fighting every single day to protect the livelihood and health of the workers at Plumbers Local 200."
The best advice ever shared with me was:
"Always be kind and take care of others!" - from my parents
What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
"As a committed father and husband, I am a firm believer that family comes first in our region. That is why my focus on every single issue is on how it improves the lives of families who live in our communities. From reducing the tax burden, fighting for our fair share of state aid, enhancing public safety and making sure our region is better prepared for any crisis that may impact us in the future, every single policy must be laser focused on enhancing the lives of all New Yorkers. We need to bring common sense government back to New York State and make sure we put Long Island first so we are self-sufficient, safe and prosperous."
This article originally appeared on the Smithtown Patch
