Louis Tobacco Explained

Lou Tobacco
State Assembly:New York
District:62nd
Term Start:March 2007
Term End:December 31, 2012
Predecessor:Vincent Ignizio
Successor:Joseph Borelli
Birth Date:16 May 1972
Birth Place:Staten Island, New York, U.S.
Party:Republican
Spouse:Jennifer
Children:4
Residence:Tottenville, Staten Island
Alma Mater:Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy, SUNY Albany

Louis R. Tobacco (born May 16, 1972) is an American politician from New York. A Republican, he represented Staten Island's 62nd District as a Member of the New York State Assembly from 2007 through 2012.

Early life, education, and career

Born in Staten Island, Tobacco attended Public School 35, St. Joseph Hill Academy Grammar School, and Monsignor Farrell High School, from which he graduated in 1990. He became an Eagle Scout in 1987.[1]

He graduated from the Rockefeller College of Politics at State University of New York at Albany; while a student, he was an intern for State Assemblyman Robert Straniere and Congressman Guy Molinari as well as a summer intern for Molinari when he later served as Staten Island Borough president.[2] In 1994, he was appointed by the borough president to serve as assistant director of contract oversight. He also represented Staten Island on the Mayor's Health and Human Services Planning Council, and was director of community relations from 1996 to 1997.[3]

After leaving Borough Hall, he worked part-time until 2010 as a pharmaceutical sales representative, for Novartis and then for Pfizer.[2] [3]

After his retirement from the New York State Assembly in 2012, Tobacco worked for Staten Island University Hospital as director of surgical business development[4] and later as associate executive director of community and government affairs. In 2019, he was appointed president and CEO of Monsignor Farrell High School.[3] [5]

Political career

Tobacco's first run for political office was in 1996 for Staten Island's Mid-Island Assembly seat held by Assemblyman Eric Vitaliano. He was unsuccessful that year.[6]

Tobacco was elected to represent the 62nd District in the New York State Assembly in a special election on March 27, 2007 to replace Vincent Ignizio, who resigned his seat to become a New York City Councilmember.[7] He and fellow Staten Islander Nicole Malliotakis were the only Republicans in New York City's State Assembly delegation.

Tobacco served as the Ranking Minority Member of the Health Committee.[2] He also served on the Ways and Means, Transportation, Cities, Codes, and Corporations, Authorities and Commissions committees.[8] He was tapped to serve as vice chair of the Assembly Minority Sex Offender Watch Task Force and was appointed to the MTA Capital Program Review Board. He was known for his "Tobacco against tobacco" anti-smoking campaign[2] [9] [10] as well as for criticizing the rising toll on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and cuts to the mass transit budget for services to Staten Island residents; in winter 2009, he distributed thousands of "No Taxation Without Transportation" bumper stickers.[11]

He retired from the Assembly in 2012 after serving three terms.[2]

Personal life

Lou Tobacco lives in the Tottenville section of Staten Island; he and his wife, Jennifer, have four children.

Election results

Louis Tobacco (REP - ALBANY REFORM) ... 2,409
John S. Mulia (DEM - IND - CON) ... 1,008
Lou Tobacco (REP - IND - CON) ... 30,410
Albert J. Albanese (DEM) ... 11,816
Lou Tobacco (REP - IND - CON) ... 22,856
Albert J. Albanese (DEM) ... 6,179

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Eagle Scout Honor Roll . BSA Troop 37 . Staten Island, NY . https://web.archive.org/web/20130905020852/http://bsatroop37.us/eagle-scout-honor-roll/ . September 5, 2013 .
  2. News: Judy L. . Randall . Assemblyman Lou Tobacco won't seek re-election . Staten Island Advance . January 3, 2019 . February 16, 2012 .
  3. News: Jessica . Jones Gorman . Former Assembly Member Lou Tobacco Takes on New Role at Monsignor Farrell High School . Staten Island Business Trends . August 13, 2019 .
  4. News: Outgoing Assemblyman Lou Tobacco lands job with Staten Island University Hospital . Judy L. . Randall . Staten Island Advance . January 3, 2019 . March 26, 2012 .
  5. News: Bascome . Erik . Monsignor Farrell High School names Lou Tobacco president and CEO . Staten Island Advance . May 22, 2019.
  6. News: November 7, 1996 . Results of Voting in New York Races for the State Legislature and the Courts. The New York Times. 2020-09-27. 0362-4331.
  7. News: Jonathan P. . Hicks . Staten Island Elects Its First Openly Gay Public Official . The New York Times . March 28, 2007 .
  8. News: Tom . Wrobleski . South Shore assemblyman Lou Tobacco appointed ranking health committee member . Staten Island Advance . January 3, 2019 . January 13, 2011 .
  9. News: Tom . Wrobleski . Quit, buddy . Staten Island Advance . March 21, 2019 . February 15, 2008 .
  10. News: Judy L. . Randall . Fate of ex-prison site on Staten Island has first claim on Tobacco's attention . Staten Island Advance . January 3, 2019 . January 4, 2012 .
  11. News: With MTA cuts looming, Island pol orders more 'No Taxation Without Transportation' bumper stickers . Staten Island Advance . January 3, 2019 . December 17, 2009 .
  12. Web site: Special Election Results, 62nd Assembly District: March 27, 2007 . . 2007 . April 13, 2011.
  13. Web site: General Election Results, State Assembly: November 4, 2008 . . December 4, 2008 . April 13, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120823001135/http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/elections/2008/General/NYSAssembly08.pdf . August 23, 2012 .
  14. Web site: General Election Results, State Assembly: November 2, 2010 . . December 13, 2010 . April 13, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131218082901/http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/elections/2010/general/2010Assembly.pdf . December 18, 2013 .