Local Election Spotlight: Josh Slaughter

This Patch article is sponsored by Josh Slaughter, running for New York State Assembly, District 3.

Patch: What attracted you to politics, and how did you get started?:
Josh Slaughter: I always had a love for American history from a young age and was very interested in our government and current events, which led me to pursue a degree in political science at SUNY Albany, where I interned in the New York State Assembly. This experience really motivated me to get more involved in public service and pursue being politically active.

Patch: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your campaign.
Josh Slaughter: I was very active from a young age, whether it was scouting or sports. I was an All-County wrestler for Patchogue-Medford and played sports year-round. I am also a nature lover. My father was an avid hiker and camper, and that was instilled in me at a young age. I spend a lot of free time landscaping and gardening, as well as at the beach. I love to be outside. When I came back home after college, I was fortunate enough to work with Suffolk County Legislator Kate Browning and serve as her Chief of Staff for twelve years. I then ran and lost in a close race to succeed Legislator Browning in 2017 when she was term-limited. Since 2018, I have been a proud union member and have served as the Long Island Political Director with Laborers Local 66, advocating for union construction workers and good-paying careers. My campaign is centered on putting working people back at the center of our politics and really refocusing our government on making the economy work for middle-class families.

Patch: How long have you lived in the district?:
Josh Slaughter: I've lived in this district my whole life. I graduated from Patchogue-Medford High School with honors and have been raising my family in Shirley for the last 17 years.

Patch: Tell us about your career and service:
Josh Slaughter: For 12 years, I served in the County Legislature as Kate Browning's Chief of Staff. I worked hard on improving our quality of life and cracking down on illegal, substandard housing and crime. I helped preserve over 1,000 acres of open space and secured over $200 million to construct what became our community’s first-ever sewer district in Shirley/Mastic, creating hundreds of union jobs, improving water quality for the Forge River, and allowing more businesses to come invest in our community.

Now, as a labor leader, I have worked with local public schools to create the first union high school pre-apprenticeship program in New York State, guaranteeing good-paying careers for our youth with zero college debt. I helped pass Project Labor Agreement requirements for all construction on SUNY campuses in New York State, ensuring local union workers benefit from taxpayer-funded construction, and I secured OSHA-30 safety training requirements on large construction projects across Long Island's towns to create safer worksites for all workers.

Patch: What are some ways you give back to the community?:
Josh Slaughter: After Superstorm Sandy, I went door to door providing much-needed supplies and bringing information to families about services that were available to them. I support several of our local nonprofits and community groups. I am a member of the Mastic Beach Conservancy and also a member of the Mastic Peninsula Historical Society. Preserving our rich history and protecting our precious environment are very important to me. I also stay very active in helping pro-labor candidates get elected across Long Island and have volunteered countless hours knocking doors to help get people elected who will support workers and middle-class families.

Patch: If you were to be elected, what would some of your top priorities/policies/changes be?:
Josh Slaughter:

1. As a labor leader, I know firsthand the difference a stable, good-paying job can make in someone’s life. I partnered with public schools on Long Island to launch the first union high school pre-apprenticeship program in New York State, guaranteeing local youth a path into high-paying trades. In the Assembly, I’ll work to get these programs in every public school across the state. Furthermore, I’ll work to increase state jobs programs to put Long Islanders to work repairing our crumbling infrastructure.
2. The cost of essentials like home and auto insurance is going through the roof, with insurance companies putting profits over people. In Albany, I’ll fight to hold them accountable and stop predatory premium hikes. The state can do this by putting a cap on insurance company profits. If a carrier has outsized profit margins two years in a row, the state should have the authority to pull back their rates. I also want to make it illegal for insurance providers to charge higher rates simply based on someone's ZIP code or age.
3. We need to upgrade our aging infrastructure and make massive improvements to address traffic congestion in the area. I will fight for an overpass/underpass at the William Floyd Parkway railroad crossing, increase Sunrise Highway from two to three lanes east of Hospital Road, and revitalize the Route 112 corridor in Medford. We aren't getting our fair share of infrastructure funding, and this will be a priority for me.

Patch: What distinguishes you from other candidates?:
Josh Slaughter: I think we have too many wealthy people in office who don't know what it is like to live paycheck to paycheck. Growing up in a union, working-class household, and having a unique background that includes experience on the government side of things as well as working in the private sector fighting for middle-class jobs and benefits give me a much different perspective than most candidates. I know what to fight for and how to get it done.

Patch: What’s the biggest challenge or most difficult moment you’ve faced during this election?:
Josh Slaughter: Having to juggle my full-time job while also welcoming the birth of my newborn daughter in August has definitely made it a challenging year to run for office as well. Elections are tough and time-consuming. The biggest challenge has been balancing all of these responsibilities.

Patch: What’s the most satisfying part about running in this election?:
Josh Slaughter: Getting my fellow neighbors active in their community and seeing the hope residents have for our community when I come to their doors. Taxpayers are fed up, and knowing that I am giving them a sense of purpose and belief that someone wants to fight to make things better for our area is probably the most satisfying part. Not everything is doom and gloom.

Patch: How can Patch readers learn more about your campaign?:
Josh Slaughter: You can visit my website, joshslaughter.com, or you can reach me directly with any questions at slaughterforny@gmail.com.