Anthony P. D'Esposito (/diˌɛspəˈzit/ dee-ESS-pə-ZEE-toh; born February 22, 1982)[1] is an American politician and retired New York City Police Department detective. A Republican, he has represented New York's 4th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives since 2023.[2] His victory in the 2022 midterm election was considered a major upset, contributing to the narrow Republican majority in the House of Representatives. In 2024, he lost his re-election bid to Democrat Laura Gillen.

Anthony D'Esposito
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 4th district
Assumed office
January 3, 2023
Preceded byKathleen Rice
Member of the Hempstead Town Council
from the 4th district
In office
February 10, 2016 – January 3, 2023
Preceded byAnthony Santino
Succeeded byLaura A. Ryder
Personal details
Born (1982-02-22) February 22, 1982 (age 42)
Political partyRepublican
WebsiteHouse website
Campaign website
Police career
DepartmentNew York City Police Department
Service years2006–2020
RankDetective

Police career

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Before entering politics, D'Esposito was a police officer with NYPD's 73rd Precinct, and a detective assigned to the 73rd Precinct Detective Squad and the Military and Extended Leave Desk.[3] He joined the NYPD in 2006 and worked there until retiring in 2020.[4]

During his NYPD career, D'Esposito received four complaints: two for excessive force with one finding of "unsubstantiated" and the second of "exonerated"; one for an improper frisk, with a finding of "unsubstantiated', and one for an improper search, with a finding of "substantiated" and a recommendation of internal NYPD disciplinary proceedings.[3] He was also reprimanded twice by the department: in 2007, for working as a DJ and serving alcohol in a nightclub without departmental permission, for which he was stripped of 15 vacation days; and in 2015, when he was docked 20 vacation days for failing to secure his firearm, which was stolen after he left it unattended in a car.[5]

Hempstead town council

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D'Esposito was appointed as a councilman on the Hempstead, New York, town council in 2016, and won a full term the following year.[6][7] He served on the council until 2023.

U.S. House of Representatives

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Elections

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2022

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After winning the Republican 2022 primary election unopposed, D'Esposito faced former Hempstead town supervisor Laura Gillen in the general election. D'Esposito framed the race as a referendum on public safety and cost-of-living issues.[8]

D'Esposito defeated Gillen with 51.8% of the vote in a major upset.[9] Some analysts attributed his victory to gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin's political coattails.[10][11]

2024

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D'Esposito ran for re-election in 2024. He was defeated by Democratic nominee Laura Gillen in a rematch of the 2022 election.[12]

Tenure

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In January 2023, D'Esposito became the first sitting Republican representative to call for Representative George Santos' resignation in the wake of revelations about Santos' false biographical statements.[13] D'Esposito's office has reportedly aided with services for a number of Santos' neighboring 3rd district constituents, who could not reach, or refused to work with, Santos' office.[14] On March 7, 2023, D'Esposito introduced the No Fortune for Fraud Act, legislation that would alter House rules to prohibit members from being paid for their celebrity status if they are indicted for finance or fraud crimes; Santos, who is under investigation for fraud and check forgery in Brazil, is not directly named in the legislation, but D'Esposito said he was "an inspiration" for it.[15]

D'Esposito supported Kevin McCarthy in the 2023 Speaker of the House election.[16]

On October 26, 2023, he introduced a resolution to expel George Santos from the House of Representatives.[17]

The New York Times reported that in a possible violation of House ethics rules, shortly after winning election D'Esposito had employed his longtime fiancée's daughter as special assistant. He also added a woman with whom he was having an affair to his office's payroll. Both employment contracts stopped shortly after his fiancée found out about D'Esposito's affair.[18]

D'Esposito was one of six Republicans to sign a bipartisan letter spearheaded by centrist House Representatives in which they pledged to respect the results of the 2024 presidential election.[19]

Committee assignments

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D'Esposito has served on the following committees:[20]

Caucus memberships

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Personal life

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D'Esposito is of Italian[22] and Puerto Rican ancestry.[23][24] He is Catholic.[25]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "New York New Members 2023". November 17, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  2. ^ Sager, Stacey (November 8, 2022). "D'Esposito defeats Gillen in NY's 4th Congressional district, completing a GOP sweep". ABC7 New York.
  3. ^ a b "Anthony D'Esposito". Propublica. July 26, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  4. ^ Gartland, Michael (October 10, 2022). "Retired NYPD and GOP congressional hopeful Anthony D'Esposito is in the hot seat again for losing his gun". The New York Post. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  5. ^ "Retired NYPD and GOP congressional hopeful Anthony D'Esposito is in the hot seat again for losing his gun – New York Daily News". www.nydailynews.com. October 10, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  6. ^ Dazio, Stephanie (February 18, 2018). "Hempstead Town councilman hired at Nassau Board of Elections". Newsday. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  7. ^ "Nassau Republicans declare victories in 3rd, 4th Congressional Districts". News 12 - The Bronx. November 9, 2022.
  8. ^ Cusoff, Carolyn (November 7, 2022). "Laura Gillen vs. Anthony D'Esposito highlights 4 huge Congressional races on Long Island". CBS New York. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  9. ^ "New York Fourth Congressional District Election Results". The New York Times. November 8, 2022.
  10. ^ Dorman, John L. (December 31, 2022). "Outgoing New York Rep. Kathleen Rice says she warned Democratic leaders that the party would 'lose' Long Island in the midterms". Business Insider.
  11. ^ Nothel, Thomas (November 16, 2022). "Zeldin Coattails Sweep-in Local Republicans". The North Shore Leader.
  12. ^ "New York House District 4 Election 2024 Live Results". www.nbcnews.com. November 21, 2024. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  13. ^ Mueller, Julia (January 11, 2023). "First sitting House Republican calls on Santos to step down". The Hill.
  14. ^ Allen, J.D. (February 1, 2023). "Who's picking up Santos' slack? Meet Rep. D'Esposito". WSHU. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  15. ^ Ibassa, Lelee (March 7, 2023). "NY reps unveil bill inspired by George Santos to stop accused lawmakers from profiting from fame". ABC News. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  16. ^ Brune, Tom (January 6, 2023). "For Long Island's House delegation, a frustrating place in history". Newsday.
  17. ^ Yilick, Caitlin (October 26, 2023). "Republican moves ahead with effort to expel George Santos from House - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  18. ^ Fandos, Nicholas (September 23, 2024). "A Congressman Had an Affair. Then He Put His Lover on the Payroll". The New York Times. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  19. ^ Brooks, Emily (September 13, 2024). "6 House Republicans join bipartisan commitment to uphold election results". The Hill. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  20. ^ "Committees and Caucuses". Representative D'Esposito. January 3, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  21. ^ "About Climate Solutions Caucus". Climate Solutions Caucus. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  22. ^ "Anthony P. D'Esposito". Town of Hempstead -- Long Island, NY. November 10, 2022. Archived from the original on November 10, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  23. ^ De La Hoz, Felipe (May 31, 2022). "Commentary: Brittle nature of Latino identity politics shows cracks as political representation falls short, disappoints". City & State New York. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  24. ^ Delgado, José A. (November 10, 2022). "Puerto Ricans in the midterm elections: victories and loses". El Nuevo Día.
  25. ^ Jeff Diamant (January 3, 2023). "Faith on the Hill. The religious composition of the 118th Congress" (PDF). PEW Research Center. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 4th congressional district

2023–present
Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
365th
Succeeded by