Michael J. Simonelli, County Legislator, 13th Legislative District

MICHAEL J. SIMONELLI

Conservative

BACKGROUND:

• Michael J. Simonelli, 49, is running for Suffolk County legislator.

• Simonelli is a retired lieutenant colonel after 30 years in the U.S. Army and a decorated combat veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

• Simonelli has worked 21 years as a Suffolk County police officer and has been an executive board member of the Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association union.

ISSUES:

• Simonelli said law and order is one of his priorities.

• He said will continue to work on the drug crisis and "quality of life choices" such as safe neighborhoods.

• He said he wants to investigate tax breaks for seniors who no longer have children in school.

By Michael Gormley

michael.gormley@newsday.com@GormleyAlbany

Michael Gormley has worked for Newsday since 2013, covering state government, politics and issues. He has covered Albany since 2001.