Senator Steve Rhoads – Fighting for Affordability, Safety, and Common Sense
Senator Steve Rhoads has built his career on protecting families, delivering tax relief, and advancing practical solutions that put people over politics. A lifelong public safety advocate, attorney, and Wantagh volunteer firefighter for over 30 years, Steve was first elected to the State Senate in 2022 and overwhelmingly re-elected in 2024.
In Albany, Senator Rhoads is leading the charge to make New York more affordable for hardworking New Yorkers. He’s fighting to ease the property tax burden by expanding the STAR program, protecting the tax cap, cutting wasteful spending, and proposing the largest personal income tax cut in state history. He works across the aisle to focus on what matters most: lowering costs, growing our economy, and making sure Long Island families aren’t priced out of the communities they love.
Public safety is at the heart of Senator Rhoads’ service. As an attorney for first responders and a decorated firefighter honored for heroism during Superstorm Sandy, Steve knows what it takes to keep communities safe. He’s fighting to repeal dangerous bail laws and make sure police have the tools and support they need to keep violent criminals off our streets. In the County Legislature, Steve led efforts to block police defunding and expanded the Nassau County Police Department—putting more officers on patrol in our neighborhoods.
A proven reformer, Steve delivered over $100 million in tax and fee cuts for Nassau residents. He overhauled the county’s broken contracting process, created an Independent Inspector General, and helped Nassau become the first county in the nation to pass legislation combating the BDS movement and rising antisemitism.
In just his first term in the Senate, Steve helped secured over $2 million for local projects in his district—underscoring his commitment to working across the aisle and getting results for the people he serves. He has also championed students and parents—securing funding for local schools, expanding school safety initiatives like the Rave Panic Alarm System, and standing strong for parental rights in education.
A lifelong Long Islander, Steve lives in Bellmore with his wife of over 30 years. He is a graduate of Wantagh Public Schools, SUNY Albany, and Hofstra University School of Law. He served for over a decade as Director of Youth Ministry at St. Pius X Parish and remains an active member of the Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis, Lions, and other local civic and faith-based organizations.
Senator Steve Rhoads is working every day to make New York safer, more affordable, and more accountable—for all of us.