Nick LaLota is a father, husband, proud American, Navy Veteran and Congressman serving New York’s First District and the greatest country the world has ever known. In Congress, Nick serves on the Armed Services, Homeland Security and Small Business Committees. Nick learned the values of hard work and service to the community from his own family. It is that commitment to service which drives him to serve as our Member of Congress.
A Family Dedicated to Service:
Law Enforcement and Military Nick’s father was a Nassau County Police Officer, his grandfathers were NYPD officers, and his stepfather served in the Navy. His mother, while working at Grumman assigned to the F-14 program, brought home U.S. Navy Tomcat models. Those models, and his family’s longtime service to the community, had an impact on both Nick and his brother.Nick’s brother Dan is a retired Marine Sniper who earned a Bronze Star with Valor for his service in Fallujah, Iraq. Nick also went on to serve.
From the Naval Academy to the Global War on Terrorism
While a Senior at St. Anthony’s High School, Nick applied to one of the few coveted spots at the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. Selected for academic record and leadership, Nick attended and earned his degree from Annapolis. Nick entered the Navy and attained the rank of Lieutenant. Serving our nation in uniform, Nick was sent overseas on three separate occasions, deploying to twenty countries.As a Surface Warfare Officer, Nick served as Assistant Operations Officer on the USS Curts and as a Tactical Action Officer on USS Carl Vinson, a nuclear powered Aircraft Carrier. For his service he was awarded a Joint Service Commendation Medal in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
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Making Government Accountable as a Village Trustee
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After his Naval career protecting our nation, and with it Long Island, Nick returned home. He then went to work continuing his public service. In 2013, Nick was appointed to the Amityville Board of Trustees and successfully ran for election in 2014 and re-election in 2015.
As a Trustee, Nick maintained a focus on reducing the tax burden on Amityville’s families and businesses, while improving village services and the viability of the Village’s downtown and beach. As the Village’s Budget Officer, he helped craft four consecutive budgets that complied with the 2% property tax cap without eliminating any village services. In 2015 and 2016, following budgets which provided significant surpluses, the Village received upgrades from Moody’s and S&P credit rating agencies. As the Chairman of the Committee to the Police Department, Nick increased the number of Officers on patrol.
As Chairman of the Committee to the Fire Department, Nick worked with the Chiefs’ Office and Fire Council to start a Village Fire Marshal program, refurbish multiple ambulances, increase EMT funding by 40% and appropriated additional funding for life saving equipment that keeps our volunteer firefighters and community safe.
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Delivering for Long Island Taxpayers in State and County Government
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From 2008 to 2022, Nick served in different leadership roles in local government here on Long Island, including serving in 2022 as Chief of Staff to the Suffolk County Legislature. There, Nick worked with the Presiding Officer, County Legislators, staff and the public to deliver superior municipal services at affordable tax rates while protecting our environment– especially the surface waters and drinking waters. Nick helped oversee Suffolk County’s $3.7 budget, which serviced the county’s 1.5 million residents.
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Prior to his role as the County Legislature’s Chief of Staff, Nick served from 2015 to 2021 as Commissioner of the Suffolk County Board of Elections, where he worked diligently to make it easier to vote and harder to cheat in our democratic process. When appointed, Nick became the youngest person to hold the post in three decades. Nick also served as Chief of Staff to a New York State Senator, where he learned how to ensure citizens’ voices were heard as he directed legislation, government relations, strategy and community outreach.
A Husband and Father to Three Daughters
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After 11 years serving our nation in uniform, Nick returned to Long Island to marry his high school sweetheart–and St. Anthony’s classmate–Kaylie; they are raising three daughters. Kaylie is the daughter of Tom and Pam Howard and granddaughter of the late Lou and Margaret Howard. Many Long Islanders remember Lou for being a Hall of Fame football coach and former Village Mayor, County Legislator and State Assemblyman. Kaylie is a physical education teacher at Northport High School and a graduate of Hofstra University. Nick is a cum laude graduate from Hofstra University’s Zarb School of Business with a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA). In addition, Nick holds a Juris Doctor from Hofstra University’s Maurice A. Dean School of Law.As our Member of Congress, Nick is fighting once again for our families on Long Island. Nick will never forget that he is there to serve.