Stephen Labate: Running for New York’s 3rd Congressional District

There is good news for voters in the 3rd Congressional district of New York, which after redistricting extends from parts of Queens to parts of Suffolk county with a major part of the Nassau county. Given the gridlock in Washington, Republican Stephen Labate told the SATimes that as a member of the House of Representatives, he “will always work for the welfare of people, which may require working with whoever becomes the next President and with the other side of the aisle.”
He understands the importance of team building having served in the army. “Something my opponent does not believe in, having voted 95% of the time on party line,” points out Stephen.
His opponent is Democrat Steve Israel. Stephen Labate also points to a scandal involving Israel. As per news reports, the bank that holds Rep. Steve Israel’s mortgage has approved a special deal allowing him to wiggle out of nearly $100,000 owed on his Dix Hills home while he unloads the property.
StephenLabate says that a change in leadership is needed in Congress, and he is asking for voters’ support even as he vows to “support and defend” the Constitution . “It is this oath, which I will carry to Washington as a member of the United States Congress,” he says.
Steve realized during the early and formative years in his life that his values were those of someone who desired to serve his country, and those values have never changed. While attending St. John’s University, he received his B.A. in Political Science and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. His formal Military education included Military Police Basic and Advanced Courses, Airborne School and Command and General Staff College.

Steve decided upon a career in financial services and worked at several major firms. In those years, he assisted clients in all aspects of financial services, to include retirement planning. Steve holds a Certified Retirement Counselor designation from the International Foundation of Retirement Education and is currently a Retirement Counselor with Prudential Retirement.

As a member of the Army Reserve, he has been called to Active Duty three times since 9-11. His most recent service was 12 months at the Pentagon where he was part of the Army’s Crisis Action Team. During this time, Steve regularly participated in the creation of high-level briefings to the Secretary of the Army and the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army.

Steve also served as a Force Protection Officer in one of the most heavily attacked installations in Northern Iraq. In that capacity, he initiated counter measures to protect the 23,000 soldiers and airmen from the ongoing myriad of threats, ranging from indirect fire attacks to suicide bombers. In support of Operation "Noble Eagle II", Steve had the distinct honor to Command the Soldiers of the 306th Military Police Battalion for a year-long mission. In a Pentagon ceremony, hosted by the Provost Marshal General of the Army, Steve was promoted to his current rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Steve is married to Leticia Labate, and they reside in Deer Park with their young twins, Michael and Maria. In addition to being an active member of the U.S. Army Reserve, Steve is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, Knights of Columbus the Reserve Officers Association, and the National Rifle Association.