Assemblyman Joseph Angelino, R-C-Norwich. (Submitted photo)

CHENANGO COUNTY — Recently, Assemblyman Joseph Angelino received the endorsement of the New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association in his bid for re-election to the 121st Assembly District.

The NYSTPBA represents more than 7,000 active and retired uniformed members of the New York State Police, from the rank of trooper through major.

“It is with careful consideration that the NYSTPBA is endorsing Joe Angelino for re-election as New York State Assemblymember,” the organization said in its endorsement letter. “The NYSTPBA is confident that Joe Angelino remains the best candidate for this position.”

Angelino has also received endorsements from the Police Benevolent Association of New York State and the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association.

The Police Benevolent Association of New York State represents New York State University Police, Environmental Conservation Police, State Park Police and Forest Rangers. The Correction Officers' Association represents state prison officers. The PBA of New York State endorsement of Angelino was also publicly announced this month.

Angelino attributed the support in part to his law enforcement background and said he also attended the New York State Corrections Officer Academy years ago.

Angelino said officers deserve more appreciation, “Particularly the corrections officers who feel they've been forgotten or even worse, forsaken because of the NY’s coddling of criminals.”

“I think a lot of people remember me as the police chief of being firm and fair and compassionate,” Angelino said. “Not everybody is perfect and people can make mistakes.”

He said treating people with respect after they make mistakes can go a long way toward rehabilitation.

“I'm very grateful that the troopers and all of these law enforcement agencies have endorsed me,” Angelino said.

Angelino, a Republican and Conservative from Norwich, is seeking another term representing the 121st Assembly District. Democrat Vicki Davis is also running for the seat. The district includes portions of Chenango, Broome, Delaware, Madison and Otsego counties.

Before entering the Assembly, Angelino spent decades in law enforcement and served as chief of the Norwich Police Department for nearly 20 years. He was elected to the Assembly in 2020.

Angelino is also a retired U.S. Marine Corps Reserve sergeant major and a three-time combat veteran of two wars.

He served as a tank commander during Desert Storm and later served in Iraq in 2003 and 2005. He received two Purple Hearts after being wounded during his 2005 deployment and retired from the Marine Reserve in 2008.

Public safety has remained one of Angelino’s central issues in Albany. In January, he outlined his 2026 legislative priorities and criticized New York’s bail reform efforts as protecting criminals over victims. He has questioned other policies he says reduce criminal accountability, such as Raise the Age and Clean Slate initiatives.

“I want to remind people that everybody in prison was convicted and sent there by a judge or jury,” he said.

He said he would continue opposing legislation he believes makes the community less safe and the work of police and correction officers more difficult.

Angelino has repeatedly called for changes to the state’s bail laws. Last year, he argued that cashless bail had harmed public safety and said Republicans would continue efforts to repeal portions of the law.

His recent agenda has also focused heavily on affordability and energy costs. Angelino joined Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman at an August press conference calling for an “all-of-the-above” energy policy that includes natural gas and nuclear power alongside renewable sources. Angelino argued that state mandates and energy policies have contributed to higher utility costs.

Earlier this year, Angelino said his legislative priorities included reducing taxes and state spending, cutting regulations affecting small businesses and addressing the cost of living.

More recently, Angelino called on the Federal Communications Commission and New York Public Service Commission to hold public hearings over Verizon’s plans to discontinue traditional copper-based landline service in some areas. He said rural residents can depend on landlines where cellular service remains unreliable.

Angelino has also advocated for additional support for rural emergency medical services. In March, he described rural EMS as being in crisis and pointed to low Medicaid reimbursement rates and shortages facing volunteer ambulance services.

The NYSTPBA is a major endorsement to Angelino’s reelection effort as voters prepare for the Nov. 3 general election.