Patrick G. Halpin
Encyclopedia
Patrick Goodchild Halpin (born January 18, 1953) was the fifth County Executive
of Suffolk County
, New York
, elected in 1987. He served one term from 1988 through 1991, when he was defeated by Robert J. Gaffney
.
and attended St. Joseph's School in Babylon. He attended Old Dominion University
in Norfolk, Virginia
, where he earned a B.A.
degree in political science
and economics
. After college he was a political campaign volunteer and became a campaign staffer for Tom Downey, who was first elected to the United States House of Representatives
in 1974. He later became a congressional aide for Downey.
Halpin's own political career began at age 26 in 1979, when he was elected to represent the 13th District of the Suffolk County Legislature. In 1982, Halpin won the New York State Assembly
seat for the 9th District, becoming the first Democrat
in 116 years to be elected to the Assembly from that area. During his three terms in office, he chaired the Standing Committee on Ethics and the Long Island Marine Resources subcommittee.
In 1987 at the age of 34, Halpin was elected Suffolk County Executive, the youngest in the county's history. His achievements include instituting the drug education program DARE
; an anti-domestic violence program; a homeless housing initiative; and a nationally-recognized open space and environmental program.
Halpin is currently an Executive Vice President at the Institute for Student Achievement
, located in Lake Success
on Long Island
. The Institute works in partnership with schools to help low-performing students stay in school, graduate and go on to college, work, other post-secondary education or job training. He has been with the organization since 1994.
Halpin also hosts Cablevision's Meet the Leaders, a public affairs talk show. He has also worked as a lobbyist under the business name Halpin Public Affairs, LLC.
County executive
A county executive is the head of the executive branch of government in a county. This position is common in the United States.The executive may be an elected or an appointed position...
of Suffolk County
Suffolk County, New York
Suffolk County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York on the eastern portion of Long Island. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,493,350. It was named for the county of Suffolk in England, from which its earliest settlers came...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, elected in 1987. He served one term from 1988 through 1991, when he was defeated by Robert J. Gaffney
Robert J. Gaffney
Robert J. Gaffney was the sixth County Executive of Suffolk County, New York. First elected in 1991, he served through 2003. Since 2006 he has been president of Dowling College....
.
Education and career
Halpin grew up on Long IslandLong Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
and attended St. Joseph's School in Babylon. He attended Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University is a state university located in Norfolk, Virginia, United States, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools...
in Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
, where he earned a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
and economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
. After college he was a political campaign volunteer and became a campaign staffer for Tom Downey, who was first elected to the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
in 1974. He later became a congressional aide for Downey.
Halpin's own political career began at age 26 in 1979, when he was elected to represent the 13th District of the Suffolk County Legislature. In 1982, Halpin won the New York State Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
seat for the 9th District, becoming the first Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
in 116 years to be elected to the Assembly from that area. During his three terms in office, he chaired the Standing Committee on Ethics and the Long Island Marine Resources subcommittee.
In 1987 at the age of 34, Halpin was elected Suffolk County Executive, the youngest in the county's history. His achievements include instituting the drug education program DARE
Drug Abuse Resistance Education
Drug Abuse Resistance Education, better known as DARE, is an international education program that seeks to prevent use of controlled drugs, membership in gangs, and violent behavior. D.A.R.E., which has expanded globally since its founding in 1983, is a demand-side drug control strategy of the U.S....
; an anti-domestic violence program; a homeless housing initiative; and a nationally-recognized open space and environmental program.
Halpin is currently an Executive Vice President at the Institute for Student Achievement
Institute for Student Achievement
The Institute for Student Achievement is a "high school turnaround partner" for public school districts attempting to improve high school education, particularly for at-risk students. ISA offers both a comprehensive model and, for those schools and districts whose needs are less profound, ISA...
, located in Lake Success
Lake Success, New York
Lake Success is a village in Nassau County, New York in the United States. The population was 2,934 at the 2010 census.Lake Success is in the Town of North Hempstead on northwest Long Island. Lake Success was the temporary home of the United Nations from 1946 to 1951, occupying the headquarters of...
on Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
. The Institute works in partnership with schools to help low-performing students stay in school, graduate and go on to college, work, other post-secondary education or job training. He has been with the organization since 1994.
Halpin also hosts Cablevision's Meet the Leaders, a public affairs talk show. He has also worked as a lobbyist under the business name Halpin Public Affairs, LLC.