Anthony A. Piccirillo for Suffolk Legislative District 8
Anthony Piccirillo, Republican incumbent candidate for Suffolk Legislature District 8. Credit: James Escher
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The 8th District covers Islip Town eastward from Oakdale.
Once upon a not-so-long-ago time, Anthony A. Piccirillo was the consummate outsider in the legislature, a bomb-throwing antagonist and thorn in the side of nearly everyone, from opposition Democrats to his own Republican caucus and even the powerful police unions.
Now Piccirillo, 40, of Holtsville, is seeking his third term and while still not exactly mainstream, he is becoming a more consequential player in the chamber. He chairs the committee investigating Suffolk's cyberattack and insisted it hire as outside counsel respected former U.S. attorney Richard Donoghue. Piccirillo also chairs the pivotal Environment, Parks and Agriculture Committee, giving him a leading hand in some of the county's most pressing issues.
And it's clear he has been doing his homework. He strongly advocates for sewers in parts of his district where he says even modern septic systems are not feasible, but says any expansion of sewers should be accompanied by new infrastructure to pump the clean effluent back into the ground to recharge the aquifer. On the issue of rising seas, he pushes coastal resiliency in some areas and hardening in others. And he says more community meetings must be held about Suffolk's garbage problem with the focus on taking waste off the Island by rail.
Piccirillo also wrote a bill that requires someone to show identification when bringing a catalytic converter to a junkyard to help track stolen devices.
But the rebel in Piccirillo lingers. He expresses skepticism about the leadership of more moderate Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey. "The jury is out on Kevin as presiding officer," Piccirillo said. Other members further to the right in the Republican caucus have talked about elevating Piccirillo to the post. He says that would be a matter for the full caucus to discuss and that he is "leaning toward no," adding that "I wouldn't want to forfeit my independence."
Whatever the resolution, a responsibly independent Piccirillo would be a boon to the legislature.
His opponent, Democrat Heather Gallagher, is not actively campaigning.
Newsday endorses Piccirillo.
ENDORSEMENTS ARE DETERMINED solely by the Newsday editorial board, a team of opinion journalists focused on issues of public policy and governance. Newsday’s news division has no role in this process.
