LiPetri graduated from Albany Law School in 2015 and was employed as an assistant corporation counsel for the New York City Law Department representing the city and municipal officials.[2] Prior to his election to the assembly, he briefly worked as an associate attorney at Rivkin Radler, LLP.[3] His grandfather, Angelo LiPetri, was a pitcher for the Phillies during the 1950s.
In 2018, LiPetri defeated incumbent assemblywoman Christine Pellegrino in the general election 56% to 44%.[4]
LiPetri was a member of the Committee on Environmental Conservation, Committee on Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions, Committee on Housing, Committee on Racing and Wagering, and the Committee on Social Services.[5]
Career
New York State Assembly
Following a string of attacks on New York police using water buckets, LiPetri introduced a bill to make it a felony to assault a police officer with water or any other liquid, such as seminal fluid.[6][7] This followed concerns that these attacks could escalate to include the use of gasoline or acid. LiPetri participated in a ride-along with ICE officers on Long Island.[8]
LiPetri has criticized New York's bail reform law, which eliminates cash bail for certain misdemeanors and allows people charged with nonviolent crimes to be released without bail pending a court appearance. LiPetri was one of two assemblymen to sponsor a bill to increase penalties for sex crimes involving a minor.[9]
LiPetri sponsored a bill in the Assembly to ban the usage of products that contain 1,4-dioxane: a carcinogen found in tap water on Long Island. LiPetri voted in favor of the bill in the Environmental Conservation Committee.[10] The bill was passed and signed into law. LiPetri also cosponsored and voted for a bill make it easier for public water suppliers to sue polluters for contaminating water supplies. This bill was also passed and signed into law.[11]
LiPetri cosponsored legislation to let college students deduct college supplies—including textbooks—from their taxes.[12] LiPetri also cosponsored the "Learning for Work" Act to establish a youth apprenticeship program and incentivize businesses to participate for occupations which do not require a college education.[13]
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Department of Health ordered nursing homes to accept patients who tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, over 4,500 COVID-19 patients were sent to New York nursing homes.[14] LiPetri called for New York Health Commissioner Howard Zucker to be fired as a result of this policy, and called for a federal investigation of this policy, alleging that it resulted in New York's higher levels of COVID-19 cases and deaths.[15][16]
LiPetri was chosen by the Nassau County GOP to be their candidate for New York's 3rd congressional district in the 2024 election cycle, a decision made amidst notable competition from within the party.[23][24][25] The primary was set for June 25, 2024.[26] LiPetri's early selection by the Nassau County GOP leaders positioned him favorably against his challengers, avoiding the typical petitioning process required for candidacy.[27]
Despite LiPetri's appointment by the Nassau GOP as the ballot nominee, candidates including Bill Cotter successfully completed the requirements to appear on the primary ballot. Cotter issued a call to the party's establishment figures, stating, "We request that the Nassau GOP, Joe Cairo, or Mike LiPetri, if they indeed have a hand in this dispute, to retract their objections and support a fair primary process."[28]
^See e.g. John DAVIS and Joyce v. Davis, Plaintiff, v. THE CITY OF NEW YORK and New York City Department of Transportation, Defendants., 2016 WL 11602976 (N.Y.Sup.)
^New York’s 3rd congressional district - Ballotpedia. (n.d.). Ballotpedia. https://ballotpedia.org/New_York%27s_3rd_Congressional_District
^New York State Board of Elections. (2024). 2024 political calendar PDF. Retrieved from https://elections.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2024/03/2024-political-calendar-quad-fold-final-draftv3.pdf
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