Anthony D'Urso

Anthony 'Tony' D'Urso is the Assembly member for the 16th District of the New York State Assembly. He is a Democrat. The district includes the majority of the town of North Hempstead in Nassau County on Long Island.

D'Urso was born and raised in Italy and came to New York City at the age of 21, where he found a job as a member of both the Carpenters and Bricklayers unions. He went to school part-time to further his education, eventually earning a master's from the Pratt Institute. He eventually began work at the New York City Department of Buildings, retiring as an Assistant Commissioner. He also taught at Bronx Community College.

In 1991, D'Urso opted to run for North Hempstead Town Council, and won a term to serve a four-year term. He would run again in 1999, winning yet another term on the Council. He also has been considerably active in global-relief efforts, making trips to Africa, Central America and Haiti following natural disasters and other crises. D'Urso is married with four children and six grandchildren.

Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel announced in early 2016 that she would not seek a sixth term in 2016, following a decade in the Assembly. While the district was considered competitive, Nassau Democrats coalesced behind D'Urso to hold the seat in the Democratic column.

Facing no primary, D'Urso was free to focus on the general election, where he would face Republican Matthew Varvaro. In a good year for Republicans nationally, D'Urso would defeat Varvaro 52% to 48% to take the seat, and was sworn into office on January 1, 2017.