Robert Cornicelli

ROBERT CORNICELLI

REPUBLICAN

BACKGROUND: Cornicelli, 54, is a Bethpage native who has served in the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army National Guard. He graduated from Nassau Community College and LIU Post with a bachelor of arts degree in political science and international affairs, according to his campaign web page. In 1993, he began working in the Oyster Bay Town sanitation department, where he is now a sanitation inspection supervisor. He once served on the Bethpage school board. In 2019, he unsuccessfully ran for Smithtown Republican town chairman.

ISSUES: Cornicelli opposes abortion rights. He wants to build a wall along the U.S. southern border and “defend our country” against people in the country illegally. He said he opposes federal education curricula and wants to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education. He says he’d oppose any law to restrict individuals' gun rights. He touts the endorsement of Michael Flynn, a retired lieutenant general and adviser to former President Donald Trump who was convicted on federal perjury charges. Flynn subsequently was pardoned by Trump. Cornicelli says Trump should not be blamed for the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.