Veteran, Elections Commissioner, and  Former Local Elected Official Seeks To Replace Democrat John Brooks (SD-8)

Amityville Village, NY - Long Island native, Navy Veteran, Suffolk County Republican Commissioner of Elections, and former elected village official Nick LaLota is announcing his candidacy for New York Senate District 8 in the 2020 election. 

LaLota has looked at the issues and problems facing the families of Long Island and feels his leadership is best served fighting the entrenched, liberal special interests in Albany.

"With Democrats like John Brooks putting liberal special interests before the people of Long Island, we need a stronger voice." stated LaLota.

"Liberal Democrat John Brooks voted for the failed social experiment that is Bail Reform; risking our neighborhoods' safety by stripping judges of their discretion to require criminal defendants to post bail for crimes such as escaping jail, drug sales, second degree manslaughter and house burglary before being released," said LaLota. 

"Brooks's extreme voting record includes handing taxpayer funded college tuition to non-citizens and legalizing abortion in the ninth month. John Brooks flip-flopped and now supports driver's licenses for those who are in our country illegally, the very same driver's licenses which are used when citizens register to vote," said LaLota.  "John Brooks's record is more in sync with the voters of Brooklyn and the Bronx than it is with the hardworking and law-abiding families of Bellmore and Babylon." 

"John Brooks voting record makes it clear that Long Island's South Shore needs someone else who will fight for us. As a Veteran who served our nation overseas, I have the drive and determination to put Long Island families first before the liberal special interests," said LaLota.

Nick LaLota was born and raised on Long Island.  Nick's father was a Police Officer and his both of his grandfathers served in the NYPD.  His mother was an Executive Secretary at Grumman, and would bring home Tomcat models and stickers inspiring Nick to serve our nation in uniform. 

After high school Nick began pursuing national service, applying to one of the few coveted spots at the United States Naval Academy.  He was nominated and appointed.

Nick graduated from Annapolis and entered the Navy, attaining the rank of Lieutenant.  Serving our nation in uniform, Nick was deployed on three separate occasions, deploying to a total of 20 different countries.   As a Surface Warfare Officer, Nick served as Assistant Operations Officer on the USS Curts and as a Tactical Action Officer on USS Carl Vinson, a nuclear powered Aircraft Carrier.  For his service in the Republic of the Philippines, he was awarded a Joint Service Commendation Medal in support of the Global War on Terrorism.  

After a Naval career protecting our nation, Nick returned home to Long Island and continued public service.  In 2013, Nick was appointed to the Amityville Board of Trustees and successfully ran for election in 2014 and re-election in 2015.  

As an elected Trustee, Nick maintained a focus on reducing the tax burden.  As the Village's Budget Officer, he helped craft four consecutive budgets which complied with the 2% property tax cap, without eliminating any services.  

As Chairman of the Committee to the Fire Department, Nick worked with the Chiefs' Office and Fire Council to start a Village Fire Marshal program, refurbish multiple ambulances, increase EMT funding by 40% and appropriate additional funding for life saving equipment to help keep volunteer firefighters and the community safe.

Since 2008, Nick has served in different roles in local government and currently serves as the Commissioner of the Suffolk County Board of Elections.  When appointed, Nick became the youngest person to hold the post in three decades.   Nick also served as Chief of Staff to a New York State Senator, where he learned about how to ensure citizen voices were heard in as he directed legislation, government relations, strategy and community outreach.

A husband and father to three daughters, Nick and his wife Kaylie, his high school sweetheart, are raising their children in Amityville.  Kaylie is the daughter of Tom and Pam Howard and granddaughter of Lou and Margaret Howard.   Longtime residents know Lou for being a Hall of Fame football coach and former Village Mayor, County Legislator, and State Assemblyman.

In addition to graduating from the Naval Academy, Nick is a cum laude graduate from Hofstra University's Zarb School of Business and holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA).  With an interest in law making, Nick has extensively studied the law and has been pursuing a law degree part-time while also serving his community and his family as a father."One party rule in Albany has led the Empire State down a dark path," LaLota said. "As State Senator, I will be a tireless advocate to make sure Long Island becomes safer, cleaner, and more affordable for all, so that our children may enjoy the same privilege of living and raising a family here, just as we did."Map of NYS Senate District 8LaLota plans to spend the upcoming months meeting with and talking to residents about their concerns with the radical direction State Democrats have taken, and will be sharing his plans for fixing Albany's messes such as legalized late-term abortion, bail reform, and prioritizing treatment of illegal aliens over the citizens of New York.  Voters can find out more about Nick on social media and at NickLaLota.com

Nick has received the endorsements of the Nassau and Suffolk County Republican and Conservative parties.

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