Garbarino Gets the Nod, But NY-02 Deserves More Than Politics as Usual

Long Island homeowners have long memories, particularly when it comes to their property tax bills. Politicians may change offices, campaigns may introduce new slogans, and decades may pass, but the decisions made in public office remain part of the record.

That history deserves renewed attention as Republican Congressman Andrew Garbarino faces Democrat Patrick Halpin in New York's Second Congressional District. Halpin is hardly a newcomer to Suffolk County politics. He served as county executive from 1988 through 1991, a period remembered for a contentious property tax controversy. During his administration, homeowners faced substantial increases, with county legislative records documenting increases ranging from 39% in western Suffolk to 161% in eastern Suffolk following the 1989 budget. Halpin maintained that deteriorating economic conditions and decisions involving other levels of government contributed to the county's fiscal problems. Nevertheless, his administration's tax record remains a legitimate subject of scrutiny more than three decades later.

Garbarino's political career presents a different record, but one that also deserves serious examination. Since arriving in Washington in 2021, the Sayville Republican has participated in federal tax negotiations affecting Long Island homeowners, including legislation that raised the federal state and local tax deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,000. He has also assumed the chairmanship of the House Homeland Security Committee, an important position overseeing border security, counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and the protection of critical American infrastructure. Closer to home, Garbarino has advocated for the World Trade Center Health Program, an essential source of medical monitoring and treatment for eligible September 11 responders and survivors.

His office has also reported returning millions of dollars to constituents and assisting thousands of residents with federal agencies. These are accomplishments worth acknowledging. But they do not erase the questions surrounding his voting record. For a Republican representing a district where many voters expect fiscal responsibility, secure borders, and a commitment to conservative principles, Garbarino has faced criticism over his support for legislation that some Republicans believe conflicts with President Donald Trump's MAGA agenda. His votes for President Biden's bipartisan infrastructure legislation and federal gun legislation are among the decisions that have generated disagreement within his own party. Bipartisanship is not inherently a failure. But neither should it become an excuse for avoiding difficult decisions or failing to explain votes that disappoint the people who sent a representative to Washington. Garbarino has demonstrated that he can work within Congress. What remains less clear is whether he is prepared to exercise the independent political leadership that his position demands.

His political upbringing also deserves acknowledgment. Andrew Garbarino comes from a family with deep roots in Suffolk County Republican politics. His father, William “Bill” Garbarino, was a prominent Sayville attorney and chairman of the Islip Town Republican Committee. Andrew worked at the family law firm before beginning his own political career, and his father's longstanding involvement in local Republican politics forms an important part of that background. There is nothing inherently wrong with growing up in a politically connected family. Nor does that connection invalidate an individual's accomplishments. But inherited political relationships and an established family name are not substitutes for independent leadership.

The congressman has had the benefit of a recognizable political legacy. The responsibility now rests with him to demonstrate that his record in Washington can stand on its own. That responsibility includes answering difficult questions. Neither Garbarino nor Halpin appeared before the South Shore Press editorial board for an interview. For candidates seeking to represent hundreds of thousands of Long Islanders, that absence is disappointing. An editorial board interview is not a ceremonial obligation. It is an opportunity to explain positions, defend decisions, and demonstrate a willingness to engage with the communities a candidate hopes to serve. Neither candidate took that opportunity.

The result is an election in which voters are being asked to evaluate two experienced political figures without the benefit of hearing either one answer this newspaper's questions directly. Garbarino has much room for growth. His congressional position gives him an opportunity to influence national security policy, advocate for Long Island taxpayers, and help shape the direction of federal legislation. With that opportunity comes an obligation to communicate more clearly, defend his voting decisions, and demonstrate leadership beyond the advantages of an established political network. Halpin, meanwhile, must contend with the financial record of his administration in Suffolk County, particularly the substantial property tax increases that remain part of the county's political history. Both candidates should be judged by their records rather than their campaign promises. Neither should assume that longevity in politics, party affiliation, or past accomplishments entitles him to the public's confidence.

New York's Second Congressional District deserves better than an election defined by unanswered questions and political familiarity. Its residents deserve accessible representatives, transparent decision-making, responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, and public officials willing to defend their records in person. After carefully considering both candidates, the South Shore Press editorial board offers a cautious endorsement of Congressman Andrew Garbarino for reelection. This should not be mistaken for an enthusiastic endorsement or a blanket approval of his performance in Washington. We remain concerned about his voting record, his relationship with the conservative agenda, and his failure to engage directly with this editorial board.

Our decision reflects significant reservations about returning Patrick Halpin to public office, particularly given the substantial property tax increases associated with his administration as Suffolk County Executive. For Long Island families already struggling with affordability, that history deserves serious consideration. Garbarino has accomplishments to his credit, but he also has considerable room for improvement. He must demonstrate greater accountability, explain his legislative decisions more clearly, and recognize that the political opportunities afforded by his family's legacy carry an obligation to deliver results. The South Shore Press cautiously endorses Andrew Garbarino for another term in Congress, but this endorsement comes with expectations, not excuses. We expect him to earn the confidence of his constituents through his actions, not merely through his party affiliation, congressional title, or family name. NY-02 deserves better. Congressman Garbarino must demonstrate that he understands that responsibility.