Dedicated to making his community a safer, more affordable place to live, Assemblyman Joe DeStefano has devoted his life to serving his neighbors. He is a forceful and unwavering voice in Albany fighting for the needs of the suburbs and the people who make our communities work.
Joe stands against the politicians who brought us inflation, high taxes, and fees. He makes sure Long Island gets its fair share of state education funding and is a leader in calling for the repeal of cashless bail and an end to the anti-law enforcement policies that have pervaded our government. He wants emergency responders to be protected from hate crimes as they put their lives on the line to serve us. He has consistently called for securing the southern border and shutting down the flow of Fentanyl and other lethal drugs into our communities. It was Joe’s bill that cleared the way for the Sunrise Wind transmission line, and he knows the importance of protecting the environment and our precious drinking water supply.
Joe’s public service career dates back to 1980 when he joined the Medford Fire Department, and he has been answering calls as a volunteer ever since. He’s served as a fire district Commissioner for nearly three decades and has held the positions of Fire Police Lieutenant, 2nd Lieutenant, Department Recording Secretary, Department Vice President, and Department President. He’s also saved lives with the Medford Volunteer Ambulance for over 40 years.
Joe was a Public Safety Communication Supervisor in the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, where he managed the day-to-day operations of the dispatchers as well as supervised radio communications and other vital functions during a 27-year career. Enjoying widespread support from the working men and women of Suffolk, he was the President of the Sheriff’s/Probation Civilian Unit, representing more than 200 Suffolk County Association of Municipal Employees members.
Over the years, Joe's held numerous other roles, including Suffolk County Fire District Officers’ Association Secretary and Treasurer, Brookhaven Town Fire Districts President, and Regional Director, Secretary, and Treasurer of the New York State Association of Fire Districts. In 2017, the Suffolk County Fire District Officers’ Association named him “Commissioner of the Year.”
Joe is a 1978 graduate of Patchogue/Medford High School and earned an Associate Degree in Business Management from Suffolk Community College. He is a long-time member of the Medford Civic Association and the Medford Chamber of Commerce. He was the district manager of the Riverhead Fire District and is a life member of both the Medford Fire Department and Ambulance company.
Now representing the people of central Brookhaven, Joe fights for safer neighborhoods, stronger communities, and preserving the property tax cap while pushing Albany to curb spending. He is a proud supporter of the working men and women who make our country great, the fire and ambulance services, law enforcement, and our military. Taxpayers across his district count him as an ally and know they can always turn to him for assistance on governmental and community issues.
Joe was first elected to the New York State Assembly in 2018 and is well-regarded for his strong constituent service, community leadership, and long-time dedication to the residents, organizations, and businesses in his district. His work ethic and service to the people of New York earned him the appointment to Ranking member of the prestigious Governmental Employees Committee, as well as other key legislative committees, including Aging, Correction, Governmental Employees, Labor, Transportation, and Ways and Means.
A resident of the 3rd Assembly District for more than 50 years, Joe and his wife, Linda, have two children and two grandchildren. His district includes the communities of Bellport, Brookhaven, East Patchogue, Farmingville, Mastic, Mastic Beach, Medford, Middle Island, Holtsville, Ridge, Shirley, and Yaphank.
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