Staten Island Republican Whose Trump Sculpture was Torched Wins Assembly Seat
By: Hadassa Kalatizadeh
Republican Sam Pirozzolo won the race for New York State Assembly District 63, representing Mid-Island and part of the North Shore of Staten Island. He flipped a long-held Democratic seat with his victory for the open seat in the assembly.
As reported by the NY Post, Pirozzolo, an optician from Staten Island, defeated Democratic candidate Vincent Argenziano, receiving about 53.5 percent of the 36,000 votes cast, as per the NYS Board of Elections. The seat was previously held by Democrat Michael Cusick, who had announced back in February that he would not seek re-election. Cusick represented the district since 2003, and it was held by Democrats since 1982.
Pirozzolo’s main campaign pledges were related to tackling crime, changing the infamous bail reform laws, and inflation. “I’m incredibly honored that #StatenIsland voters have chosen me to be their voice in Albany, flipping a district that was blue for 40+ years. But this was never about red vs. Blue,” he had Tweeted on Wednesday. “It’s about making our community safer and more affordable for future generations to come!”
Pirozzolo had previously made headlines in 2016 when an oversized “T” sculpture in his front yard, displaying his support for Donald Trump’s bid for presidency, was torched. In the summer of 2016, Pirozzolo had erected a 12-foot “T” foam-and-wood sculpture created by artist ScottLoBaido in front of his house. In August, the statue was mysteriously burned down, with Pirozzolo speaking out saying he believed it was an act of arson.
“It’s a shame this generation that is around now, these kids, feel it’s fine to block my First Amendment speech — including almost setting my house on fire. To them, that makes sense,” Pirozzolo had said at the time. He had also persisted, getting LoBaido to constructed an even bigger, 16-foot-tall “T” sculpture, on his lawn. It was revealed in a crowded ceremony involving 150 people singing “God Bless America.” The city Department of Buildings hadproceeded to fine Pirozzolo $2,400 for erecting an “illegal illuminated sign in a residential district”. Over the years, Pirozzolo said he has hosted nine works byLoBaido at his home– including a memorial to the slain NYPD officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu, as well as a “Let’s Go Brandon” piece.
“People are afraid of what their energy costs are going to be,” noted Pirozzolo, explaining his victory. “I’m the only candidate in this race fighting to repeal the disastrous bail law and against @KathyHochul’s outrageous $23 commuter tax!” he had written in a tweet on election day. His handle on the social media platform is: “Husband, Father, Small Business Owner who’s #FedUp like you. NYS Assemblyman-Elect #AD63”.
