NY-04: Anthony D’Esposito (R)

REPLACING:

Kathleen Rice (D)

WORK HISTORY:

Hempstead Town Council (Councilman); New York City Police Department (Detective); Island Park Fire Department (Chief of Department)[i]

EDUCATION:

BA, Hofstra University[ii]

CAMPAIGNED ON:

Inflation; Public Safety; National Security; Energy Independence; Immigration; Healthcare; Education; Taxes and Economy; Israel[iii]

ON THE ISSUES

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS:

During the campaign, D’Esposito said he is not in favor of a nationwide ban on abortion, but also tried to eschew speaking in-depth on the issue, arguing, “What’s important to focus on is that, in New York, nothing is going to change […] Women here are still protected.”[iv] He has also decried efforts “legalizing late term/partial birth abortion,” as well as “allowing abortions to be provided by non doctors.”[v] [vi]

ECONOMY, JOBS & TAXES:

Pledging to “stand up for taxpayers,” D’Esposito decries government spending and touts his record on cutting or freezing taxes while on the Hempstead Town Board. He has pledged to restore the SALT deduction.[vii]

HEALTHCARE & SOCIAL SAFETY NET:

On his campaign website, D’Esposito advocates for strengthening the employer-provided health insurance system, investing in local hospital systems, lowering the cost of prescription drugs, and ensuring coverage for people with pre-existing conditions. He decries Congressional Democrats’ “trillion-dollar government takeover of our health care system.”[viii]

IMMIGRATION & BORDER SECURITY:

D’Esposito supports securing the border, investing in Border Patrol, ending “misguided” sanctuary city policies, and “preventing Nancy Pelosi and Congressional Democrats from providing amnesty to those who broke the law and entered our country illegally.”[ix]

CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY:

A former NYPD Detective, D’Esposito describes public safety as “the centerpiece of his public service.” He opposes cashless bail and pledges to “stop the defund the police movement” as well as “ensure our law enforcement and first responders receive the resources and support they need.”[x]

GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS & ELECTION SECURITY:

D’Esposito was not included in The Washington Post’s list of election deniers running for office in 2022.[xi]

EDUCATION:

D’Esposito advocates for “parental involvement and local control” in schools, while arguing that “Bureaucrats in Washington and Albany should not be dictating” to parents, teachers, and school boards.[xii]

CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT:

D’Esposito supports American energy independence with an “all of the above” strategy, through “our natural resources and American innovation.”[xiii] Following Superstorm Sandy, D’Esposito was appointed Co-Chairman of New York State’s Community Reconstruction Plan.[xiv]

GUN SAFETY:

D’Esposito was not endorsed by the NRA, and has a “?” rating from the organization.[xv] During the campaign, he was criticized for leaving his gun unattended in a car while serving as an NYPD detective.[xvi] He has stressed taking illegal guns off the streets, arguing during a debate with Lauren Gillen, “The focus needs to be on those who are carrying illegal firearms and not creating laws that limit those who are carrying them legally.”[xvii] [xviii]

FOREIGN POLICY:

D’Esposito’s campaign platform advocates for President Reagan’s “Peace through Strength,” policy, arguing “that begins by showing leadership on a global stage that puts America’s priorities, safety and security first.” He pledges to work to strengthen military cooperation with Israel as well as oppose efforts to rejoin the Iran Nuclear Deal.[xix]