Newsday endorses Andrew Garbarino for New York's 2nd Congressional District

Rep. Andrew R. Garbarino, running for a third term, takes every opportunity to signal to the public that he puts the needs of New York State and his 2nd Congressional District ahead of partisan solidarity. In August, for example, Garbarino got 17 fellow House Republicans to sign a letter he organized urging Speaker Mike Johnson to stop trying to end all the green-energy tax breaks legislated by Democrats in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.

Garbarino, 40, of Bayport, is cochair of the Climate Solutions Caucus, which is bipartisan and a showcase for his ability to work with Democrats to do what’s in the best interest of a district that has a long coastline on the Atlantic Ocean. His bid to have Republicans stop dismissing the value of tax credits for green industries — from wind and solar energy to hydrogen, nuclear and carbon capture technology — drew instant condemnation from some hard-right colleagues. But Garbarino seems to have a good chance for some success.

Of the tax credits in the Democratic-crafted Inflation Reduction Act, Garbarino candidly told the Newsday editorial board: “Can we save them all? I don’t think so.” But clearly, he sees merit in saving some.

COMMUNITY PROJECTS

Garbarino puts front and center the millions of dollars he delivers in community projects, formerly known as earmarks, now included in the federal budget.

The range of allocations this year included, among others: $3.33 million for the Howells Point Coastal Flood Resiliency Project in the Village of Bellport, $1.5 million for the Brookhaven Sewage Treatment Facility Expansion via the Town of Brookhaven, and $5 million for the Smith Point Bridge via Suffolk County’s Department of Public Works.

Garbarino’s presence in the House majority, and his seniority among the current Long Island delegation’s three Republicans, give him a leg up on securing local aid. He’s also enmeshed in broader bipartisan efforts. He’s taken up predecessor Rep. Peter King’s push for medical care for those sickened long-term by the effects of the World Trade Center’s destruction in 2001.

Garbarino also has worked to put his imprint on cybersecurity measures and is immersed enough in the subject to wrestle with strategic concerns. When it comes to the United States’ ability to handle hacking and disruption, he says with some authority, “Our offensive capabilities are a lot better than our defensive capabilities. Adversarial nations have done a better job of putting [the necessary] people into their workforce.”

He discusses ways to correct that through better training and to reduce bureaucracy and inefficiency in the current reporting system on incidents that can slow down institutional responses to these electronic emergencies.

People do not know yet how bad a cyber-disaster can be, he warns.

Garbarino did pay some potentially embarrassing partisan dues earlier this year when he was tapped to carry out Johnson’s futile drive to remove by impeachment Alejandro Mayorkas, the homeland security secretary. As a follow-up, the incumbent expresses hope for bipartisan progress on border security and immigration.

OPTIMISTIC ON SALT

He also expresses optimism that even if Republicans prevail in the electionsand maintain control of the House, the $10,000 cap on state and local tax deductions on federal income taxes that the party imposed during President Donald Trump’s term will be significantly raised if not eliminated outright. Garbarino foresees helping to abate problems with flood insurance for his constituents and preserve water quality.

This November, Garbarino’s Democratic opponent is Rob Lubin, 29, of Lindenhurst, an entrepreneur seeking public office for the first time. Fluent in Italian and Spanish, Lubin has been a manager for global soccer clubs AS Roma and FC Barcelona. He also founded IN-HOUSE, an online apparel marketplace.

Lubin said he would seek to address affordability, especially on prescription drug prices, and gun violence, to raise the minimum wage, and to join in efforts to codify abortion rights on the federal level. But while well-intended, Lubin is not well-enough versed yet in the ins and outs of governance to describe in any depth how he might become an independent and effective contender in the future.

Newsday endorses Garbarino.