Joseph P. DeStefano

BACKGROUND

• DeStefano, 64, of Medford, is running on the Republican and Conservative party lines in the general election. He is seeking a fourth two-year term.
• DeStefano was a communications supervisor/public safety dispatcher for the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office from 1994 to 2018, and was a public safety dispatcher for the Suffolk County Police Department from 1991 to 1994.
• He received an associate degree in 1980 from Suffolk County Community College.

ISSUES

• DeStefano opposes bail reform, saying judges should have more discretion when setting bail for defendants with multiple arrests for minor crimes. “Their hands are tied based on how the laws are written,” he said.
• He said he would focus on quality-of-life issues, such as complaints about noise, illegal dumping and excessive use of off-road vehicles.
• DeStefano said “keeping families together” on Long Island is a priority. He said the state must control its spending to improve affordability and reduce taxes.