Anthony D'Esposito
Anthony D'Esposito | |
---|---|
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 4th district | |
Assumed office January 3, 2023 | |
Preceded by | Kathleen Rice |
Member of the Hempstead Town Council from the 4th district | |
In office February 10, 2016 – January 3, 2023 | |
Preceded by | Anthony Santino |
Succeeded by | Laura A. Ryder |
Personal details | |
Born | February 22, 1982 |
Political party | Republican |
Website | House website Campaign website |
Police career | |
Department | New York City Police Department |
Service years | 2006–2020 |
Rank | Detective |
Anthony P. D'Esposito (/diˌɛspəˈzitoʊ/ dee-ESS-pə-ZEE-toh; born February 22, 1982)[1] is an American politician and retired New York City Police Department detective. A Republican, he has represented New York's 4th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives since 2023.[2] His victory in the 2022 midterm election was considered a major upset, contributing to the narrow Republican majority in the House of Representatives. In 2024, he lost his re-election bid to Democrat Laura Gillen.
Police career
[edit]Before entering politics, D'Esposito was a police officer with NYPD's 73rd Precinct, and a detective assigned to the 73rd Precinct Detective Squad and the Military and Extended Leave Desk.[3] He joined the NYPD in 2006 and worked there until retiring in 2020.[4]
During his NYPD career, D'Esposito received four complaints: two for excessive force with one finding of "unsubstantiated" and the second of "exonerated"; one for an improper frisk, with a finding of "unsubstantiated', and one for an improper search, with a finding of "substantiated" and a recommendation of internal NYPD disciplinary proceedings.[3] He was also reprimanded twice by the department: in 2007, for working as a DJ and serving alcohol in a nightclub without departmental permission, for which he was stripped of 15 vacation days; and in 2015, when he was docked 20 vacation days for failing to secure his firearm, which was stolen after he left it unattended in a car.[5]
Hempstead town council
[edit]D'Esposito was appointed as a councilman on the Hempstead, New York, town council in 2016, and won a full term the following year.[6][7] He served on the council until 2023.
U.S. House of Representatives
[edit]Elections
[edit]2022
[edit]After winning the Republican 2022 primary election unopposed, D'Esposito faced former Hempstead town supervisor Laura Gillen in the general election. D'Esposito framed the race as a referendum on public safety and cost-of-living issues.[8]
D'Esposito defeated Gillen with 51.8% of the vote in a major upset.[9] Some analysts attributed his victory to gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin's political coattails.[10][11]
Tenure
[edit]In January 2023, D'Esposito became the first sitting Republican representative to call for Representative George Santos' resignation in the wake of revelations about Santos' false biographical statements.[12] D'Esposito's office has reportedly aided with services for a number of Santos' neighboring 3rd district constituents, who could not reach, or refused to work with, Santos' office.[13] On March 7, 2023, D'Esposito introduced the No Fortune for Fraud Act, legislation that would alter House rules to prohibit members from being paid for their celebrity status if they are indicted for finance or fraud crimes; Santos, who is under investigation for fraud and check forgery in Brazil, is not directly named in the legislation, but D'Esposito said he was "an inspiration" for it.[14]
D'Esposito supported Kevin McCarthy in the 2023 Speaker of the House election.[15]
On October 26, 2023, he introduced a resolution to expel George Santos from the House of Representatives.[16]
House ethics
[edit]The New York Times reported in September 2024 that shortly after being elected to the House, D'Esposito employed his longtime fiancée's daughter as special assistant. A few months later, he added his mistress Devin Fass as part time staff to his local office. Both contracts stopped shortly after his fiancée found out about his affair with Fass. Under congressional rules, it is illegal to employ spouses, relatives, and stepchildren.[17] It is also against House rules for Congresspeople to have sexual relationships with employees under the supervision of a member.[18]
2024 presidential election
[edit]D'Esposito was one of six Republicans to sign a bipartisan letter spearheaded by centrist House Representatives in which they pledged to respect the results of the 2024 presidential election.[19]
Syria
[edit]In 2023, D'Esposito voted against H.Con.Res. 21, which would have removed the United States Armed Forces from Syria by ending the American-led intervention in the Syrian civil war.[20][21]
Israel
[edit]On March 26, 2024, D'Esposito introduced a resolution (H.Res.1107)[22] which would require Israel to be in full support of any changes to American foreign policy as it relates to the war against Hamas and Palestinian statehood.
Committee assignments
[edit]D'Esposito has served on the following committees:[23]
- Committee on Homeland Security
- Committee on House Administration
- Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Caucus memberships
[edit]- Climate Solutions Caucus[24]
- Republican Governance Group
- Republican Main Street Partnership
- Congressional Hispanic Conference
Personal life
[edit]D'Esposito is of Italian[25] and Puerto Rican ancestry.[26][27] He is Catholic.[28]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "New York New Members 2023". November 17, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
- ^ Sager, Stacey (November 8, 2022). "D'Esposito defeats Gillen in NY's 4th Congressional district, completing a GOP sweep". ABC7 New York.
- ^ a b "Anthony D'Esposito". Propublica. July 26, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
- ^ Gartland, Michael (October 10, 2022). "Retired NYPD and GOP congressional hopeful Anthony D'Esposito is in the hot seat again for losing his gun". The New York Post. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
- ^ "Retired NYPD and GOP congressional hopeful Anthony D'Esposito is in the hot seat again for losing his gun – New York Daily News". www.nydailynews.com. October 10, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
- ^ Dazio, Stephanie (February 18, 2018). "Hempstead Town councilman hired at Nassau Board of Elections". Newsday. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
- ^ "Nassau Republicans declare victories in 3rd, 4th Congressional Districts". News 12 - The Bronx. November 9, 2022.
- ^ Cusoff, Carolyn (November 7, 2022). "Laura Gillen vs. Anthony D'Esposito highlights 4 huge Congressional races on Long Island". CBS New York. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
- ^ "New York Fourth Congressional District Election Results". The New York Times. November 8, 2022.
- ^ Dorman, John L. (December 31, 2022). "Outgoing New York Rep. Kathleen Rice says she warned Democratic leaders that the party would 'lose' Long Island in the midterms". Business Insider.
- ^ Nothel, Thomas (November 16, 2022). "Zeldin Coattails Sweep-in Local Republicans". The North Shore Leader.
- ^ Mueller, Julia (January 11, 2023). "First sitting House Republican calls on Santos to step down". The Hill.
- ^ Allen, J.D. (February 1, 2023). "Who's picking up Santos' slack? Meet Rep. D'Esposito". WSHU. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
- ^ Ibassa, Lelee (March 7, 2023). "NY reps unveil bill inspired by George Santos to stop accused lawmakers from profiting from fame". ABC News. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
- ^ Brune, Tom (January 6, 2023). "For Long Island's House delegation, a frustrating place in history". Newsday.
- ^ Yilick, Caitlin (October 26, 2023). "Republican moves ahead with effort to expel George Santos from House - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
- ^ Employment of relatives; restrictions
- ^ https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/23/nyregion/anthony-desposito-affair-congress.html?smid=url-share
- ^ Brooks, Emily (September 13, 2024). "6 House Republicans join bipartisan commitment to uphold election results". The Hill. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ "H.Con.Res. 21: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … -- House Vote #136 -- Mar 8, 2023". GovTrack.us. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
- ^ "House Votes Down Bill Directing Removal of Troops From Syria".
- ^ H.Res.1107 - Expressing the sense of Congress that Israel must be in full support of any negotiation or agreement relating to the Israeli-Hamas conflict, including a two-state solution or similar long-term plan relating to Israel and Palestinians for it to move forward.
- ^ "Committees and Caucuses". Representative D'Esposito. January 3, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
- ^ "About Climate Solutions Caucus". Climate Solutions Caucus. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ "Anthony P. D'Esposito". Town of Hempstead -- Long Island, NY. November 10, 2022. Archived from the original on November 10, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
- ^ De La Hoz, Felipe (May 31, 2022). "Commentary: Brittle nature of Latino identity politics shows cracks as political representation falls short, disappoints". City & State New York. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
- ^ Delgado, José A. (November 10, 2022). "Puerto Ricans in the midterm elections: victories and loses". El Nuevo Día.
- ^ Jeff Diamant (January 3, 2023). "Faith on the Hill. The religious composition of the 118th Congress" (PDF). PEW Research Center. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
External links
[edit]- Congressman Anthony D'Esposito official U.S. House website
- Anthony D'Esposito for Congress
- 1982 births
- 21st-century New York (state) politicians
- American people of Italian descent
- American politicians of Puerto Rican descent
- Catholic politicians from New York (state)
- Hispanic and Latino American members of the United States Congress
- Hofstra University alumni
- Living people
- New York City Police Department officers
- Puerto Rican people in New York (state) politics
- Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from New York (state)