Candidate Profile: Mike Siderakis For NY Senate District 2
NESCONSET, NY — Election Day is right around the corner, and voters will choose between Democratic candidate Mike Siderakis and Republican candidate Mario Mattera 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:
Mike Siderakis
Age as of Election Day (Nov. 3)
52
Town of residence
Nesconset
Position Sought
State Senate
Party Affiliation
Democrat
Family
Wife Sandra; Daughter Samantha 24; Son George 18; Son John 16
Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No
Education
Attended CUNY Bernard M Baruch college
Occupation
Retired New York State Trooper — nearly 28 years of public service
Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office
None
Campaign website
Why are you seeking elective office?
"After spending two legislative sessions (2017-2019) in Albany working with, and building relationships with senators on both sides of the aisle (as the legislative director of the New York State Troopers PBA) I wanted to use my experience to represent the District I love and has given me so much."
The single most pressing issue facing our nation/state/community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.
"The are many extremely important pressing issues I have outlined below, but the #1 current issue is COVID-19 and the devastation it has caused in our communities. The loss of far too many lives, income, jobs, businesses and revenue to governments used to provide services to all of us. I will work together with our federal delegation to ensure New York gets the assistance we deserve as Americans to minimize the drastic cuts in the coming years. I will also work with County and State Government to find savings and new revenue sources to protect the most vulnerable among us like our young, elderly, disabled, veterans and poor."
What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
"I have the integrity, courage and experience to fight for the constituency."
Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform
"Protecting Our Schools:
Public schools must be made as strong as possible — our children deserve no less. We need to find state-level solutions that help make all of our schools exceptional. The COVID-19 pandemic has strained our tax base and our schools, exposing harmful inequities as students struggle, in too many cases, to get their educations delivered at home. Meanwhile, schools face the strain of reopening with new protocols and the expenses that come with them. Locally, I will offer my leadership to find efficiencies that will improve educational quality and delivery. In Albany, I will fight for resources that ensure fair taxation in our community. I also promise to fight to protect our schools against the threat of charter schools and testing mandates that siphon money away from our children and their classrooms.
Protecting Our Environment:
Environmental concerns are immediate concerns for the people living in our district. I will make addressing our concerns about water and green space a top priority. Drinking from the faucet in our district will introduce harmful contaminants to your body. Industrial waste has entered our ground water, and we are moving too slowly to clean it. Meanwhile, we live on an island that regularly experiences beach closures because of harmful runoff and algae blooms. Leaders who have refused to protect our community leave the door wide open for careless development. I will fight to protect these resources by crafting state law and enlisting state resources to address these threats to our health and economy.
Protecting Our Communities:
Police are law enforcement professionals. As professionals, they deserve the highest level of support to ensure all of our citizens remain safe and are treated fairly. I spent 28 years as a New York State Trooper, and I saw daily the dedication to serve the community by police in the field. Police work hard. They care. They sacrifice. That’s why everyone in law enforcement deserves colleagues who are carefully recruited from the best available, who are screened, and who are regularly trained. Top recruitment and training are what we expect in every profession. Police deserve no less.
When we call the police, no matter who we are or where we live, we must have confidence that those who answer the call are among the best around. When I get to Albany, I will use my experience as a state trooper to advocate for exceptional policing. I will work to pass legislation that will improve police recruiting and screening, to make certain that police prospects are prepared to face all the challenges in the field. I will also fight to make New York State provide ongoing professional training to maintain the proficiencies and skills necessary to serve and protect all New Yorkers.
Protecting Our Health:
Healthcare is a national issue, a statewide issue, and a local issue. It affects everyone. Finding ways to improve the healthcare system in New York will be a priority of mine. The healthcare industry has filled Albany with lobbyists, including former legislators, who fight to protect their industry. But who is fighting for you? Whether you are uninsured and just hoping you don't get sick or hurt, or lucky enough to have a so-called "Cadillac" insurance plan, you are likely familiar with the absurdities of healthcare delivery. Hospitals won't disclose the cost of procedures until AFTER you have them. Sometimes, "out-of-network" surgical teams working at "in-network" hospitals surprise you with bills for thousands of dollars that you can't afford. Worse, if you don't have insurance, or are poorly covered, you may delay medical attention until it is too late. I will fight to find ways to improve healthcare quality and access for all New Yorkers."
What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
"I have had the privilege to serve the public as a New York State Trooper for more than 27 years. I have always adhered to the State Police Vision: To Serve, Protect and Defend the People While Preserving the Rights and Dignity of All. During my career as a State Trooper, I have worked in numerous and various assignments within the State Police, including time representing the New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association (NYSTPBA) union membership as the Troop L Delegate and an Executive board member.
-Worked as a K-9 handler with K-9 Kelly.
-Assisted with the search and recovery efforts of TWA Flight 800, off the south shore of Long Island.
-Worked at Ground Zero with the search, recovery and security efforts after the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
-Served in the Protective Services Unit (PSU) under Governor Spitzer, Governor Patterson and Governor Cuomo administrations. Provided around the clock security and transportation to the Governor, their families and visiting dignitaries.
-Elected by the Troopers unit in Troop L as their delegate within the NYSTPBA.
-Elected by the Troopers and Supervisors units throughout the State as NYSTPBA Secretary.
-Elected by the Troopers and Supervisors units throughout the State as NYSTPBA 2nd Vice President/Legislative Director. During my time as the legislative director, I worked to advance the needs of our membership within the New York State Senate and Assembly. I have worked closely with many members of the Senate and Assembly, including the leadership of both bodies. I have also participated in direct contract negotiations for our membership with the State Governor’s Office of Employee Relations (GOER).
-Received the Democrat nomination for New York State Senate District 2."
The best advice ever shared with me was:
"Never give up."
What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
"I have had a satisfying and gratifying career with the New York State Police and want to continue my public service to my neighbors, family and friends in SD2."
This article originally appeared on the Smithtown Patch
