Michael J. Fitzpatrick
Michael J. Fitzpatrick is running for New York State Assembly - 8th District

BACKGROUND
- Fitzpatrick, 67, of Saint James, is running on the Republican Party line in the general election and is seeking his 12th term.
- Before being elected to the State Assembly in 2002, he was a member of the Smithtown Town Board.
- Fitzpatrick also has been a registered representative with Morgan Stanley and UBS.
ISSUES
- Fitzpatrick said he is passionate about renaming and rebranding the SUNY college system to make it more of a national brand and create more opportunities for Long Island SUNY schools to bring in more dollars to the area through bigger college sports events.
- He said he is concerned about the migration of residents leaving New York and wants to explore ways to make it more affordable for people to live in the state.
- Fitzpatrick said there is a need for pension reform in New York State and that officials should consider a defined contribution platform, which he says would be a less expensive and “more portable” pension platform.
'I had to keep my mouth shut' Ronnie Tanner, a horse jockey in the '60s and '70s, and Kendrick Carmouche, a current jockey, spoke about the racism Black jockeys have faced. NewsdayTV's Jamie Stuart reports.