Suffolk GOP Names Labor Leader Mario Mattera as State Senate Candidate to Replace Flanagan in the Second District

MEDFORD, NY - Suffolk County Republican Chairman Jesse Garcia today announced the designation of Mario Mattera as the Republican candidate for the Second District of the New York State Senator following Senator John Flanagan’s decision last week to retire. 

Smithtown Town Republican Chairman Bill Ellis and Huntington Town Republican Chairwoman Toni Tepe joined Garcia in naming Mattera as the Suffolk County Republican Committee’s new State Senate candidate.

“During these difficult times, and with the challenging economic climate we will face in the coming years in New York State, Mario Mattera is the best person to represent our families, and be the voice for the working men and women who will rebuild our state,” said Chairman Jesse Garcia.

“I am humbled and honored to be selected to represent the families of my community in the State Senate,” said Mattera, a resident of St. James.  “I’ve dedicated my life to ensuring that our workforce is protected and well equipped, and have grown increasingly frustrated and angry as I see our healthcare workers thrown into an impossible situation without the basic tools they need to do their jobs or protect themselves and their families.  Years of misguided priorities and misspent funds have contributed greatly to the crisis we see today, and I can’t wait to be elected to be a voice in the legislature for our vulnerable workforce.”

Mario Mattera has dedicated his career to fighting for the working men and women of Long Island.  A member of Local Union #200 for more than 25 years, Mattera has risen through the leadership ranks of the labor organization, serving as their Business Agent since 2003.Mattera’s serves on the Suffolk County Water Authority Board, the Consumer Affairs for Plumbing licensing and Fire Protection Board, and the Work Force Housing Committee.  An active member of his community, he serves on the board of the Community Association of Greater St. James and the Children’s Museum at Hallock Farm, and has volunteered with the Long Island Housing Partnership where he assisted in their Superstorm Sandy relief program.  Among other recognition has been honored by St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center with their Theodore Roosevelt award, and by the Ward Melville Heritage Organization for his community service.

“Mario Mattera has been a leader in our community for years, and has time and again demonstrated his commitment for the working men and women of Long Island,” said Smithtown GOP Chairman Bill Ellis.  “I am proud to support him to be our next State Senator.”

“Mario Mattera will bring a common sense voice to the state legislature for our community.  From opposing bail reform that has let criminals loose into our community during this unprecedented health and safety crisis to fighting for public dollars to be spent where they should be, Mario will be a voice for Long Island families,” said Huntington GOP Chair Toni Tepe.

“Mario Materra has dedicated his career to fighting on behalf of working men and women all across Long Island,” said New York State Senate Republican Conference Leader John J. Flanagan. “I know Mario will tirelessly advocate to ensure our first-responders and healthcare workers have the resources they need to protect the public during this health crisis. In addition, Mario will fight back against one party control in Albany, and will be a driving force to help move our economy in the right direction. I am proud to endorse Mario Materra to represent the people of the Second Senate District.”

Chairman Garcia added that Mattera will also appear as the candidate of the Conservative and Independence parties for the Second Senatorial District.  All the required paperwork officially designating Mario Mattera as the Republican, Conservative and Independence candidate will have been filed at the Suffolk County Board of Elections on Monday, March 30th.