Democrat · New York's 25th District · 2026
Joseph Morelle
Joe Morelle grew up in Irondequoit, the son of a heating and cooling technician who belonged to the plumbers and pipefitters union.
Biography
Joseph Morelle's father was a Korean War veteran and a longtime Plumbers and Pipefitters union member.1 A baseball accident interrupted Morelle's college plans, leaving his leg broken in five places.2 He finished Geneseo as a night student in 1986, nine years after starting, earning a political science degree.23 He met Mary Beth at a family function, and they married in 1984, six months after their first date.2 He and his wife, Mary Beth, raised three children and have five grandchildren; they live in Irondequoit.4
His earlier work included assisting state Senator John Perry and supplementing that pay with church maintenance work.2 While serving in the county Legislature, he also sold dry cleaning equipment.2 After winning his Assembly seat, he helped found MMI Technologies, which developed software and websites for healthcare and manufacturing companies.2
His Assembly work during the 1990s included pushing corporate tax cuts and workers' compensation changes.2 He became Assembly majority leader from 2013 through 2018, then won election to Congress after Louise Slaughter's death.35 He is the House Administration Committee's top Democrat and also serves on Appropriations.67
Morelle is defending the seat against Republican county legislator Virginia McIntyre.89 He campaigns for more affordable housing, childcare and workforce training, alongside defending Affordable Care Act coverage and reproductive rights.1 His health agenda emphasizes protecting people with preexisting conditions and lowering prescription costs and surprise medical bills.1
Record and controversies
Employer contact complaint and apology
In July 2020, county legislator Sabrina LaMar alleged Morelle tried to have RIT fire her after she appeared in a political rival's video; he acknowledged contacting the university but denied seeking her dismissal.10 He apologized for the distress she described while maintaining that denial.11 LaMar said the contact led to discipline despite prior permission to appear in the video; RIT declined to discuss personnel matters.11 These accounts establish a reported complaint, not an agency finding; a later agency resolution was not verified in this review.11