Lifelong Suffolk County resident Jim Mazzarella is running for re-election to the 3rd District of the Suffolk County Legislature because of his strong ties to the area and his drive to continue supporting efforts that improve the community and protect the environment in Suffolk.

Mazzarella, the current legislator for Suffolk County, has spent his entire life integrated within the community he currently represents. Mazzarella said his upbringing continues to influence his work as a union leader, community activist and family man.

“I was born and raised in the district,” he said. “It gives you firsthand knowledge of the needs and the issues in the district.”

To carry out a number of long-term projects that he has been involved in leading, Mazzarella, who was originally elected in 2021, is running for re-election.

“There are some very big projects that have long timelines that are either just beginning or we’re in the middle of doing, and they need to be completed,” Mazzarella said. “I just want to continue to do what’s right by the community and continue the good work that has been started.”

Mazzarella, who graduated from William Floyd High School in 1984 and SUNY Maritime College in 1988, began his career as secretary/treasurer of Local 342, Long Island Public Service Employees, where he improved working conditions for public employees.

He has been involved in public service for decades, in addition to his work in legislation. He has been a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Rotary Club, served on the board of the Mastic-Moriches-Shirley Community Library for 10 years, and has been a member of his homeowners association’s board for more than 15 years.

“I spent a lot of time in civic service here in this community,” he said. “It gives you a firsthand look at what’s important to the residents.”

Infrastructure improvements, especially in wastewater management, are Mazzarella’s most notable achievement during his time in office.

“We probably have one of the biggest infrastructure projects in the county that is going on right now,” he said, referring to the Forge River Sewer District project.

He explained that the project aims to connect approximately 2,000 households and 250 businesses to modern sewage systems and includes a completed plant at the Brookhaven Calabro Airport site.

“We’re probably close to hooking up about half of those houses up to the plant, which are now sending flow,” Mazzarella said. “Once that second phase is done, we’ll have the entire Forge River watershed completely sewered, which is a gigantic accomplishment for the health of the river and our aquifer of drinking water.”

Mazzarella is preparing for another major project in the future, which is constructing a new Smith Point Bridge. The project is anticipated to start in 2026 and will replace the aging drawbridge with a suspension bridge that will have bike and pedestrian paths, beautiful views and a new recreation space.

“The new bridge has amenities that the old bridge doesn’t have—there’s going to be a few landing spots for sightseeing,” he said. “The bridge will never be closed to vehicular traffic due to vessels having to pass under it because it’s going to be 55 feet in height—it’s going to be a suspension bridge, not a drawbridge.”

Mazzarella added that he bases his leadership style on collaboration and listening.

“You have to do a lot of listening, because you need to find out what the issues are,” he said.  “Then you need to forge relationships amongst your colleagues in the legislature and your colleagues within the county government to get things done; it’s important to build bridges.”

He maintains relationships with the community by attending chamber of commerce events, fire and ambulance district meetings, property owner meetings and school events.

“Being able to talk to everyday residents is very important,” Mazzarella said. “That’s how you stay in touch with people.”

Mazzarella lists public safety, coastal resilience, and affordable housing as the three main concerns for the future.

“We don’t have enough affordable housing; there’s a shortage of it, therefore making it very difficult for young people to find places to live,” he said, adding that projects including coastal resilience are also necessary for protecting aquifers and waterways.

He added that his top priority remains public safety.

“People need to feel safe, and the way you do that is you maintain the proper levels of law enforcement,” he said. “We continue to add new classes in the police academies and work with the sheriff’s department and make sure they are fully staffed.”

Mazzarella hopes that people will evaluate him based on his record as he runs for re-election.

“They should look at my record and what I have accomplished over my first two terms,” he said, adding that the community should base their decision on his commitment to the people of his district.

The same values that shaped his career also form the foundation of his plans for Suffolk County’s future.

“I would like to see good quality drinking water, affordable housing, and to provide a place where people feel safe,” Mazzarella said. “Suffolk County is one of the safest counties in the country; we want to keep it that way.”