Michael J. Fitzpatrick R

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.