Rep. Garbarino, challenger Halpin clash over Trump, immigration and congressional leadership in South Shore race
House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Andrew Garbarino touts local accomplishments while Democratic challenger Pat Halpin argues national issues demand a change in representation.
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Republican Rep. Andrew Garbarino and Democratic challenger Pat Halpin are offering voters sharply different visions as they compete for a South Shore congressional seat less than a week before Election Day.
Garbarino, of Bayport, currently serves as chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, a position that has placed him at the forefront of debates over immigration and national security. Despite the high-profile role, Garbarino says his focus remains on Long Island.
"When I go to Congress, I make sure I'm Long Island first," Garbarino said.
The Congressman points to several accomplishments he says have benefited residents.
"The SALT deduction increase, fully funding the 9/11 World Trade Center Health Program, returning over 2 billion dollars to New York state that was being held up by FEMA," Garbarino said.
His opponent, former Suffolk County Executive and former state Assemblyman Pat Halpin of Oak Beach, says concerns about the nation's direction prompted him to return to politics after years away from elected office.
"I'm running for Congress because I've got two adult daughters, a granddaughter, what kind of country are they going to have?" Halpin said.
Halpin said frustration with President Donald Trump's administration and congressional Republicans motivated his campaign.
"The Republican Party that I have always worked with as county executive, as a state assemblyman, that party is gone. It's now the MAGA party," Halpin said.
The Democrat also links affordability concerns to the ongoing war in Iran and argues Congress, and Garbarino, should have done more to stop it.
