Steven Matteo

Steven Matteo (born February 18, 1977) is an American politician who served as Council member for the 50th district of the New York City Council. He is a Republican.

Steven Matteo
Minority Leader of the New York City Council
In office
July 1, 2015 – November 17, 2021
WhipJoe Borelli
Preceded byVincent M. Ignizio
Succeeded byJoe Borelli
Member of the New York City Council
from the 50th District
In office
January 1, 2014 – November 26, 2021
Preceded byJames Oddo
Succeeded byDavid Carr
Personal details
Born (1977-02-18) February 18, 1977
Staten Island, New York, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseAnne Matteo
Children4
Alma materSt. Francis College (BA)
Touro Law School (JD)

His district is located completely on Staten Island and encompasses the neighborhoods of Arrochar, Bloomfield, Bulls Head, Castleton Corners, Chelsea, Concord, Dongan Hills, Egbertville, Emerson Hill, Fort Wadsworth, Graniteville, Grant City, Grasmere, Heartland Village, Isle of Meadows, Lighthouse Hill, Manor Heights, Meiers Corners, Midland Beach, New Dorp, New Springville, Oakwood, Ocean Breeze, Old Town, Prall's Island, Richmondtown, Rosebank, Shore Acres, South Beach, Todt Hill, Travis, Westerleigh, and Willowbrook.[1]

Life and career

Born on Staten Island as the youngest of three sons, Steven Matteo earned a B.A. from St. Francis College and a J.D. from Touro Law School. He started in politics by working as Deputy Director of Constituent Services to then-Councilman James Oddo in 2004 and then as Chief of Staff in 2006.[2]

Matteo was originally going to be a candidate for the 50th Council district in 2009 but withdrew after the change in the term limits law permitted Oddo to seek a third full term.[3]

New York City Council

Matteo contested a bitter Republican primary for the seat on September 10, 2013, against attorney Lisa Giovinazzo.[4] The party feud led to fissures between Minority Leader James Oddo and Congressman Michael Grimm; the latter was supporting Giovinazzo.[5] The disagreement over the party's nomination in this race led to the resignation of GOP County Chairman and Grimm ally, Robert Scamardella.[5] Ultimately, Matteo won with 55% of the vote.[6]

In the general election, John Mancuso was the nominee of the Democratic Party.[7] Matteo won the general with nearly 64% of the vote.[7] In 2017, he won re-election with almost 80% of the vote.[8]

Steven Matteo took office in 2014 and has had a focus on small business initiatives including the creation of merchant groups in his district.[9] Additionally, he has made traffic flow and driver safety a priority through intersection improvement requests.[10] In 2018 Matteo was appointed to serve at the Chair of the City Council's Committee on Standards and Ethics.[11]

Due to the news of an impending resignation from the Council by Vincent Ignizio, there was speculation as to whether Matteo or Queens Republican Eric Ulrich would succeed to the position of Minority Leader.[12] Matteo was ultimately elected with votes from himself and Ignizio before the latter's departure from the Council.[13]

To date, Matteo has authored 22 pieces of legislation to pass the New York City Council.[2] Among his first was a bill that improved building construction standards by requiring mold resistant materials in moisture prone locations of new buildings.[14] This was followed later in 2014 with a local law creating the West Shore Industrial Business Improvement District.[15] In 2016, Matteo authored and passed legislation that would require the City of New York to provide free automated external defibrillators for any youth baseball league that has games and practices on City-owned fields.[16]

Electoral history
Election history
Location Year Election Results
NYC Council
District 50		 2013 Republican Primary √ Steven Matteo 55.18%
Lisa Giovinazzo 44.82%
NYC Council
District 50		 2013 General √ Steven Matteo (R) 63.51%
John M. Mancuso (D) 36.38%
NYC Council
District 50		 2017 General √ Steven Matteo (R) 79.65%
Richard A. Florentino (D) 20.14%
Borough President
Staten Island		 2021 Republican Primary √ Vito Fossella 51.17%
Steven Matteo 48.83%

References
  1. "Republican Steven Matteo takes Mid-Island City Council seat against John Mancuso (photos/video)". Staten Island Advance. 2015-07-01. Retrieved 2013-11-06.
  2. "District 50". Steven Matteo. Retrieved Dec 14, 2020.
  3. "Staten Island's Matteo picks up big-name GOP support". SILive.com. Retrieved 2014-08-05.
  4. Tom Wrobleski (2013-09-06). "GOP Mid-Island candidates Giovinazzo, Matteo go head to head in debate sponsored by the Advance and NY1". SILive.com. Retrieved 2014-08-05.
  5. Advance File Photo (2013-06-23). "Mid-Island Council Race: The GOP primary candidates Giovinazzo, Matteo discuss key issues". SILive.com. Retrieved 2014-08-05.
  6. "Ourcampaigns.com". Ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 2014-08-05.
  7. "Ourcampaigns.com". Ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 2014-08-05.
  8. "Our Campaigns - New York City Council 50 Race - Nov 07, 2017". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved Dec 14, 2020.
  9. "New Richmond Road Merchants Association receives funds". SILive.com. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  10. "Staten Island's Matteo asks DOT, mayor, to take on transportation woes". SILive.com. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  11. "Island City Council members get key leadership positions". silive. 2018-01-12. Retrieved 2020-02-09.
  12. Will Bredderman (22 May 2015). "GOP Councilman Claims Ties to Liberal Speaker Help Minority Leader Bid - Observer". Observer. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  13. "Steven Matteo voted Council's new Republican minority leader". Staten Island Advance. 2015-07-01. Retrieved 2015-09-30.
  14. "Staten Island's Matteo passes first bill, to protect from mold in homes". silive. May 1, 2014. Retrieved Dec 14, 2020.
  15. Sanders, Anna (Oct 23, 2014). "City Council approves creation of West Shore Industrial Business Improvement District". silive. Retrieved Dec 14, 2020.
  16. "City defibrillator bill passes, provides devices to youth baseball". silive. Apr 21, 2016. Retrieved Dec 14, 2020.
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