Preceded by Vincent Ignizio Religion Roman Catholic Party Republican Party Alma mater SUNY Albany Spouse Jennifer | Children four Name Louis Tobacco Political party Republican Signature Succeeded by Joseph Borelli | |
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Born May 16, 1972 (age 51)
Staten Island, New York, U.S. ( 1972-05-16 ) Education University at Albany, SUNY Residence Tottenville, New York City, New York, United States | ||
Louis R. "Lou" Tobacco (born May 16, 1972) was a member of the New York State Assembly representing Staten Island's 62nd District.
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Early life, education, 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. In his senior year at Farrell, Tobacco was elected student council president. He was also a Boys State delegate and is an Eagle Scout, class of 1987.
While attending the State University of New York at Albany, Tobacco served as a Congressional intern for former Congressman Guy V. Molinari as well as a summer intern for Molinari when he later served as Staten Island Borough President. Upon his graduation from college in 1994, he was appointed by the borough president to serve as assistant director of contract oversight. He worked closely with Staten Island organizations and civic groups and assisted the development of their discretionary funding contracts from the Department of Youth Services and the Department of Cultural Affairs. While at Borough Hall, Tobacco represented Staten Island on the Mayor's Health and Human Services Planning Council and the Community Action Board.
Political career
Tobacco's first run for political office was in 1996 for Staten Island's North Shore Assembly seat held by Assemblywoman Elizabeth A. Connelly. He was unsuccessful that year.
Tobacco was elected on March 27, 2007 in a special election to replace Vincent Ignizio, who resigned his seat to become a New York City Councilmember. 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 Social Services Committee. He also served on the Transportation, Governmental Employees, Higher Education, Cities and Aging committees. He was tapped to serve as vice chair of the Assembly Minority Sex Offender Watch Task Force and had been appointed to the MTA Capital Program Review Board. Tobacco was also active in criticizing the rising toll on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and cuts to the mass transit budget for services to Staten Island residents. In the winter of 2009, Tobacco made headlines with his "Taxation Without Transportation" campaign, distributing over 3,000 bumper stickers with this message to constituents. He retired from the Assembly in 2012.
Personal life
Lou Tobacco resides in the Tottenville section of Staten Island with his wife Jennifer and their children: Madison, Christian, Ella and Luke.