Stephanie Liggio, a lifelong Bronx resident, is now making her bid for New York State Assembly District 83, fueled by a deep sense of community and an unwavering belief in personal responsibility.
For Liggio, the Bronx, specifically her home neighborhood of Wakefield, has always been at the core of who she is, despite spending a few years in Nevada. Her memories are rich with the experiences of her childhood, attending Public School 87 and Saint Francis of Assisi before moving on to Saint Barnabas High School.
After taking a year off following graduation, she enrolled at Berkeley Business College, earning an associate’s degree in accounting. But her path to political activism did not begin immediately.
“I was not politically driven back then,” Liggio confesses with a candid smile. “I actually registered to vote without affiliating with any party. It was not until years later, during a primary election, that I realized I could not vote because I was not part of a major party. That experience opened my eyes—it made me see how easy it is for people to feel excluded from the system.”
That moment ignited a deeper curiosity about politics. Liggio went on to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and later completed a graduate degree in marketing at Baruch College in New York City. She also obtained a certificate in sports management from Iona College, always looking to expand her skills and broaden her understanding of the world around her.
When she returned to the Bronx 24 years ago, she was immediately reminded of what makes it so special. “The Bronx is not just where I live—it is where my roots are. It is the pizza place I grew up loving, the corner deli that always had what I needed. There is something about this place that nurtures you. It is where memories are made, and no matter where life takes you, there is always that pull to come back.”
Though Liggio majored in communications, she admits there is one area she wishes she had explored more. “I should have taken film classes,” she says, a hint of nostalgia in her voice. “College is the time to take those risks and explore the unexpected. You never know what opportunities might arise from those experiences.”
Her political awakening began in her childhood, around the dinner table. “My father would come home and talk about the day’s events, what was happening in the world. We were always discussing politics and current events. It was part of our daily life.”
As an adult, her involvement became more formal, initially through clients who were active in political circles. Over time, she became a regular participant in their fundraisers. However, it was not until she co-founded Project Civica, a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing civic knowledge and voter participation, that she realized her true calling.
“The 2020 lockdowns were an awakening,” Liggio explains. “People became so dependent on the government, and it made me think hard about where the line should be drawn. I believe in self-sufficiency, and those experiences reinforced my belief that personal accountability and constitutional principles should guide us.”
As co-founder and former director of communications for Project Civica, Liggio spearheaded efforts to engage the public, not through partisan rhetoric but by educating them on their rights and responsibilities as citizens. “It is not about party lines,” she emphasizes. “It is about making sure people know how their government works and what role they play in it. Empowering communities starts with knowledge.”
Liggio’s decision to run for the New York State Assembly stemmed from a sense of duty. “I realized I could not just encourage others to take action without stepping up myself. My district needed a challenger, and I asked myself, ‘Why not me?’”
Her campaign takes aim at real kitchen-table issues that impact families every day. “Inflation is affecting everything,” she notes. “Food and energy prices are rising, and that is contributing to crime and making education less accessible. When people can not meet their basic needs, it affects everything around them.”
Liggio is especially critical of the state’s energy policies. “The shutdown of the Indian Point nuclear plant has left New York in an energy deficit. We have the resources—natural gas—that could help us, yet our residents are paying more than they should for energy. It does not make sense.”
She also does not shy away from addressing public safety concerns. “The amendments to the Bail Reform Act made changes, but not enough. Small crimes like fare evasion used to be enforced, and that had a big impact on keeping the city clean and safe. We need to bring back that sense of personal responsibility.”
Education, another cornerstone of her platform, requires more accountability, according to Liggio. “Charter schools are held to a high standard—they are closed if they don’t perform. Public schools need to be held to the same standards. Without a strong foundation in reading, writing, and math, our children are at a disadvantage, and that leads to bigger problems down the road.”
Running against incumbent Assemblyman Carl E. Heastie, Speaker of the New York State Assembly, is no small task. Many in the district have expressed dissatisfaction with his approach to criminal justice, calling him “too lenient.” Liggio is ready to offer a new perspective.
Despite the hurdles, Liggio remains hopeful. “It is tough to get people involved. Sometimes they do not even want to open their doors. But we have to keep trying. We need to listen to people’s concerns—whether it is crime, inflation, or education—these are real issues, and people deserve to be heard.”
Since becoming a registered Republican in 2016, and recently receiving the endorsement of the Bronx Conservative Party, Liggio feels her values align with practical, common-sense solutions. “This journey is overwhelming at times, but I am committed. I am here for the long haul, working toward a future that is stronger, safer, and more unified for all of us.”
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