Steven P. Basileo D

BACKGROUND

• Basileo, 24, of Saint James, is running on the Democratic Party line in the general election, and is making his first bid for public office.
• He graduated from Stony Brook University with a master’s degree in public policy.
• Basileo was formerly a labor organizer with Service Employees International Union’s communication center, focusing on helping to encourage public school staff to engage with their unions. He also previously worked with Suffolk Legis. Sam Gonzalez on policy research and constituent services.

ISSUES

• Basileo said that if elected he plans to bring activity back to public service through constant communication with the community on important issues while looking to push for a wider array of housing options to help with the Island’s housing costs.
• Basileo said he wants to advocate for stronger health care by codifying the Affordable Care Act to include disability coverage, exploring a state-level public option for those who don’t have employer-sponsored healthcare plans and protecting reproductive autonomy for women.
• On environmental issues, he said he wants to ramp up renewable energy construction, in particular wind power, while protecting water quality on Long Island.