Ex-Suffolk County Executive Pat Halpin is jumping back into the political ring to take on “Sleepy Drew’’ Rep. Andrew Garbarino, who famously dozed through a vote on President Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill.
Halpin, a Democrat, launched his 2026 campaign Monday in Babylon, blasting the Republican incumbent for “falling asleep on Long Island families” — after sleeping through and missing the first House vote tied to the key sweeping White House legislation.
“Our Congressman, Andrew Garbarino, is asleep at the wheel — literally,” Halpin said.
“He’s been caught snoozing while voting to gut hospitals, slash food assistance and hand billionaires more tax breaks — all while Long Island families can’t keep up with rent, childcare or medical bills.”
Halpin, who once led Suffolk as the county’s youngest ever top elected official, cast himself as a workhorse ready to “get things done” while citing his extensive political resume.
Halpin served as county exec from from 1988 to 1991, during which time he launched the Long Island Housing Partnership, expanded community policing and domestic-violence programs, introduced drug prevention in schools and led one of the nation’s top land preservation efforts, his campaign said.
“I know every corner of this district — full of good, hard-working folks,” Halpin said.
“I’ll be your go-to congressman no matter if you’re a Democrat, Republican, independent, short, tall, young or old.”
“You got a problem; I’ll work to find a solution. Whether that’s fixing a pothole or protecting Medicaid, I will find a way to help.”
Garbarino has meanwhile carved out a reputation as a moderate in his party, breaking ranks to support the congressional January 6 commission, codify same-sex marriage and help pass former President Joe Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure and cybersecurity bills.
He slept through the first House vote on his party’s linchpin One Big Beautiful Bill — delivering a major nail-biter at the time for Republicans, who ended up passing the legislation by just one vote without him.
The Senate then revised the House bill and sent it back to the lower chamber for another vote — and Garbarino managed to stay awake to help pass that one.
He currently chairs the House subcommittee on cybersecurity, has introduced legislation to combat wildlife trafficking and pushed for workforce training programs and affordable housing aid across Long Island.
He recently touted that he and other Republicans helped quadruple the SALT deduction cap to $40,000.
But Halpin says Garbarino’s record mostly falls flat at home, accusing the congressman of “going Washington” and failing to deliver while accusing Garbarino of putting billionaires over Suffolk County’s working families.
Some constituents of Garbarino seem unhappy with their congressman, even within party lines, as hardcore Republicans liken him to a RINO, or “Republican in name only,” while moderates criticize his high-profile snoozefest during the key bill vote.
“[Republicans] called Biden “Sleepy Joe” for four years, and then [Garbarino] actually slept through the vote. [Halpin] should call him ‘Sleepy Drew’ — he’s got my vote,” Patchogue resident Jennifer Armúngo told The Post.
Halpin closed out his announcement by saying voters are “tired of the dysfunction” — and argued that Long Island “deserves better” than what it’s getting in Washington.
Garbarino did not respond to a Post request for comment.
-Additional reporting by Steven Nelson
