Andrew Lanza

Andrew Lanza is an American lawyer and politician affiliated with the Republican Party, currently serving as a member of the New York State Senate. He represents the 24th district, which encompasses most of Staten Island. Lanza has held this position since his election in 2006, following a tenure on the New York City Council. His legislative work has included a focus on judicial independence, public health initiatives, and various social issues.

Early life and career

Andrew Lanza was born on March 12, 1964, in Brooklyn, New York. He spent his formative years in Great Kills, Staten Island, where he completed his secondary education at Monsignor Farrell High School in Oakwood, graduating in 1982. Following high school, Lanza pursued higher education at St. John's University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. He furthered his academic qualifications by obtaining a Juris Doctor degree from Fordham University School of Law. Lanza is licensed to practice law in New York and New Jersey, as well as in the United States District Courts for both the Southern District of New York and New Jersey.

Before embarking on his political career, Lanza gained significant professional experience in various roles. He served as the Managing Member and General Counsel Partner at Mercury Securities LLC, a firm specializing in software development and stock trading on Wall Street. His legal career began as an Assistant District Attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, where he handled a range of cases, including street crimes and welfare fraud, and dealt with procedural and constitutional issues. Additionally, Lanza worked as a senior auditor for KPMG Peat Marwick, where he conducted audits for a diverse array of entities, including public and private firms, banks, importers, and hospitals.

Lanza's political career began when he was elected to the New York City Council in 2001 as a Republican representative for the 51st district. During his time on the council, he was one of only three Republicans among the 51 members. He successfully secured re-election in 2003 and again in 2005. Lanza resides in Great Kills with his wife, Marcele, who is a public middle school administrator, and their three children. He has a longstanding friendship with former U.S. Congressman Vito Fossella, also from Staten Island.

Legislative service

In 2006, Andrew Lanza was elected to the New York State Senate, succeeding John J. Marchi, who had held the seat for an extensive 50 years. Since taking office, Lanza has consistently won re-election by significant margins, and he has been unopposed in three of his electoral campaigns. His tenure in the Senate has been marked by notable political shifts, particularly when the Democratic Party gained control of the state senate in the 2018 elections. At that time, Lanza was the only Republican representing a portion of New York City.

Throughout his legislative career, Lanza has introduced and supported a variety of bills aimed at addressing pressing issues within his district and the state. One of his early initiatives was the introduction of a law to establish the 13th Judicial District, which would consist solely of Richmond County, thereby separating Staten Island from Brooklyn's 2nd Judicial District. This move was motivated by concerns regarding the representation of Staten Island in the judicial system, as a significant majority of elected judges in the 2nd District were from Brooklyn.

Lanza has also been active in public health legislation. He played a key role in the passage of the Internet System for Over-Prescribing Act (I-STOP), which made New York the first state to require physicians to consult a patient's prescription history before prescribing certain medications. This law aimed to combat prescription drug abuse and enhance patient safety.

Policy focus and district

Lanza's legislative agenda has included a strong emphasis on public health and safety, particularly in response to the opioid crisis. He collaborated with Assemblyman Michael Cusick on a bipartisan initiative to establish a Safe Disposal program, allowing residents to safely dispose of expired and unneeded prescription drugs at designated locations, including local police precincts. This program aimed to reduce the risks associated with unused medications and promote community health.

In addition to his work on prescription drug safety, Lanza has been involved in efforts to combat the fentanyl crisis, which has significantly impacted Staten Island. In 2017, he joined Governor Andrew Cuomo and other officials to announce legislation aimed at adding fentanyl analogs to the state’s controlled substances schedule. This legislation was a response to a dramatic increase in fentanyl-related deaths in Staten Island and sought to empower law enforcement to address the issue more effectively.

Lanza has also taken a stand on social issues, including child marriage. He co-sponsored a bill to raise the age of consent for marriage from 14 to 18, addressing concerns about forced marriages and the protection of minors. This bill received unanimous support in the Senate and was signed into law.

While Lanza has supported various progressive measures, he has also faced criticism for his positions on certain social issues. Notably, he voted against the Marriage Equality Act in 2011, which legalized same-sex marriage in New York, expressing his belief that marriage should be defined as a union between a man and a woman.

In addition to his legislative work, Lanza has engaged in public discourse on religious issues. In 2013, he publicly criticized a billboard campaign by American Atheists, calling for a boycott of Times Square during the campaign's duration and drawing parallels to historical instances of religious persecution.

Overall, Andrew Lanza's legislative career has been characterized by a focus on public safety, health initiatives, and social issues, reflecting the diverse needs of his constituents in Staten Island. His ongoing service in the New York State Senate continues to shape the political landscape of the region.