Joseph Cardinale

Joseph Cardinale was born in New York, New York. He earned a high school diploma from St. John's Preparatory School. His career experience includes working in law enforcement and as a mechanic, private investigator, truck driver, and small business owner.[1]

He has been affiliated with the following organizations:[1][2]

Fraternal Order of Police

Knights of Columbus

10-13 Association

Columbia Associaltion

National Rifle Association

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a retired Lieutenant Commander from the NYPD, small business owner, father and grandfather. I was born and raised in Brooklyn New York and moved onto Long Island in 1994. I have been a Union worker in the teamsters local 553, HAPD PBA, HAPD Superior Officers Association and NYPD Lieutenants Benevolent Association. I am an active member of the Knights of Columbus,Moose International, NY 10-13 Association, NYPD Retired Columbia Association( former active Board member) NRA member, Retired Lieutenant Association NYPD, and Fraternal Oder of Police Lodge 997.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I want to bring back the common sense approach to creating and enacting legislature that makes a difference for all of New York, and keeps Long Island safe and affordable. We have watched a steady decline in the quality of life in New York City and cannot afford to allow a one party rule to dictate policy for Long Island. There must be a true bipartisan approach to solving the basic premise of comprehensive governing all the time not just during election time. The people of New York State are smarter than that. They want and deserve elected officials who put people before politics.We need to completely overhaul our criminal justice system. We no longer have a proactive approach to solving crime, instead we react and over react to crimes that are based on what the political agenda of the day brings. Bail reform is a far cry from what the original purpose was. Our parole system no longer looks at the crime and the criminal, but rather the age and financial cost of the criminal up for parole with absolutely no regard for the victims and their families. This is a direct result of what happens in an unbalanced justice system. Everyone passes the buck from the prosecutors to the judges who repeatedly say “ we don’t make the laws” and have zero accountability in the process.We as a state must address the mass exodus of businesses and seasoned workers and their families out of New York for greener pastures in States that are more financially and economically conducive for them.A large chunk of Wall Street has already done that and the residual effects and damage from this is felt across the entire State. We have a governor that publicly dared these families and businesses to do exactly that. Now we have another astronomical budget ( which was late as usual) that has the same Governor begging for these businesses to return. This is wreck less leadership that New York can no longer afford on any level.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Public safety and affordability. We have watched essential services like drug store chains and major retailers leave New York at a record pace. These services leave because they can no longer sustain the large scale larcenies ( mob style theft) which places additional operating costs and insurance loss, which of course is passed onto the consumers. When the cost and safety of chain stores doing business in New York outweighs the profits they put economics before people, pack up and go, leaving our communities without the essential businesses like drug stores.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

To date I am still going through the screening process for different Pacs and will update when the process is complete.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Retired Lieutenant Commander NYPD

Media Consultant to Fox News, Newsmax, I heart Radio, Briebart Radio, Guest at Forbes Media and Rich Valdes at Night,Former PBA Delegate,Former member Teamsters Local 282, Current retired Member Lieutenants Benevolent Association/NYPD, New York State 10-13 Association,NYS FOP Lodge 997, Knights Of Columbus Council 793 OLPH, Member of there NRA

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Make Long Island safer and more affordable by repealing the current Bail Reform and Pro criminal Laws that allow repeat violent career criminals to roam our communities unchallenged. A common sense approach is needed to propose, enact, and enforce the laws needed to keep these Predators away from our homes, schools and businesses. The same stance must be taken to protect crime victims rights by repealing the current laws as they pertain to Discovery. The fact that a criminal accused of a serious sexual crimes, can now come to a victims home in search of discovery is appalling.Reverse the sanctuary funding schemes that has handed out over 2.4 billion dollars of state funds to illegal migrants. This one-sided plan has totally abandoned the rule of law and made our communities unsafe. Albany continues to hemorrhage these funds while totally disregarding the right of our veterans, seniors, and homeless residents. The rights of nm our citizens should never come after the imposed right of people who enter our country illegally.Strengthen our schools and parental rights by ensuring our communities receive their fair share of State aid. We must work together to prevent Albany and New York City from forcing their political and Social agendas onto us and into our classrooms.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Safety, Economic stability, the retentions of small and big business, and policies that address drug abuse issues on Long Island and across our country. The current fentanyl crisis continues to claim the lives of our youth at an alarming rate.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Politically I answered in the previous questions.

personally my Dad and my Uncles. My dad who provided the role model of being a hard working (two or three jobs at once) and provided the foundation for me to follow in his footsteps in the NYPD . My Uncle Frankie who provided the foundation for me to become an auto mechanic while understanding what it was like to work in a family business. Both my father and my uncles who served in World War 2 and were responsible for my desire to serve my community and be proud and grateful to live in the greatest country ever. Proud and free

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Common Sense by Thomas Paine. Written in 1776 and still applies to us as a country and society today. When everything seems so confusing and political views are so extreme and off base, we need to rely on the common sense approach to find the common ground we need to accomplish what is best for us as a whole.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Elected officials must keep honesty and integrity at the top of the must have list. Too many voters distrust elected officials because they fail to keep an open dialogue with them.Transparency and accountability are key factors to achieving and maintaining public trust. Voters need to have clarity on the issues that face them individually and as a community. Elected official should make every attempt to personally address issues within their given areas.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

My commitment to public service combined with my desire to keep serving in a capacity that can and will make a difference now and in the future.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To do the job you were elected to do to the best of your ability. While we may never be able to accomplish everything we set out to do, we must always try to push for legislation that serves the common goals of the communities we represent. Keeping the voters informed on failed policies is equally as important as hailing successful policies. We should always try to be proactive with our approach to secure whatever is best for the communities. By doing this we create an equal partnership with the community by dealing with issues together.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That I did my best to leave this world a better place one commitment at a time.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The assassination of President Kennedy-I was 9 years old

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

A paper router-three years.

What is your favorite book? Why?

to Kill a MockingBird- it was my older sisters favorite as well and it covered a lot of issues past and present

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Jules Verne's character Captain Nemo

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

whole lotta love -Led Zeppelin

( dating myself)

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Balancing family life with work.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

The ideal relationship would be a true balance of power with a true bi partisan approach to draft and pass bill that address issues on both sides.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Crime,Financial Stability, Environmental issues and the lack of a bona fide energy plan. I believe that given the current crime problem combined with the failures of our judicial system, more families and businesses both big and small will continue to leave New York State. New York ranks in the top 5 for income tax and New Yorkers are getting less and less or their money. Big and small businesses continue to leave at alarming rates because of the lack of prosecution for retail crimes which has driven the cost to do business here to double what it once was. This crime and financial ripple effect has been the catalyst for families to uproot and leave New York for States like Florida, and businesses to move to neighboring states, like New Jersey and Connecticut, or to just close their door permanently.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

No, I believe any individual could contribute his or her expertise or skills from previous jobs such as blue collar, stay at home moms, farmers, construction, education , etc. I believe these individuals make our government more well rounded and bring more insight to the areas they serve or would serve .

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

No man (or woman) is an island. Our government is very complex and it is essential for every representative to be open minded and work across party lines. Without cooperation from both sides of the aisle, we will continue to have a one-party rule which caters to some and not all.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

While there is not one legislator in particular that I may prefer, there are two political giants I admire and would like to keep in mind. Presidents Ronald Reagan and John F Kennedy. Both men resonated with the people and accomplished their goals and legacies by reaching across the aisles while keeping country first and politics second.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

I would prefer to concentrate on the task at hand which is the NYS Assembly. While anything may be open in the future, the goal for me is to provide leadership in this role where it is needed the most.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Not one story in particular, but rather a conglomerate of stories from residents who are struggling financially, medically, and most who are disgusted with the quality of life they have because of the issues we have discussed( crime, the border, illegal migration. These are issues that we all can relate to as a State and within our communities.

Tell us your favorite joke.

I really do not have a favorite joke just a favorite comedian

Robbin Williams

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

In extreme conditions yes. While the final decision lies at the head of any government, the logistics involved should include both the legislature and Senate as an oversight

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

the repeal and redrafting of Bail reform. This one bill is responsible for the out of control crime problem we all share in New York

What committees interest you?

Judicial,Veterans affairs,Alcoholism and drug abuse,small business, Labor

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I firmly believe in the publics right to know when it concerns matters directly effecting them financially. During times like the present where the government is writing checks and just printing money to satisfy those checks, the public has an absolute right to know how and why that money is spent. When people are spending more and getting less and cannot afford to purchase a home, the government has an obligation to be transparent and to explain why we are where we are and how financial stability will be addressed and restored.

Would a state ballot initiative process be good or bad for your state?

On certain issues like bail reform and discovery yes, as long the voters are provided with a clear understanding of what they are voting for in detail. Important issues like bail reform should be stand alone issues with nothing else attached not to confuse the voter.