1960 Born June 22, 1960 in Buffalo, New York
- The family moved to the Village of East Aurora
- Attended Immaculate Conception Elementary School
- Attended East Aurora High School
1985 Earned a BS in Business Administration from Wittenberg University
- He began his career at M&T Bank in Buffalo in the Trust Division but left after a few years to work as a consultant to small businesses
1991 Assumed control of his parents’ drycleaning business, Sparkle Cleaners, in Amherst, New York, expanding it significantly by tripling sales, doubling employees, and adding locations. He owned/operated it for about 35 years until selling it in 2018 to a Hamburg businessman.
- Wife: Theresa; 3 Children: Daniel, Ryan, Ava Elizabeth
1999-2002 Elected trustee of the Village of East Aurora
2002 -08 Elected mayor of the Village of East Aurora where he cut taxes for three consecutive years, reduced government size, and was recognized as a state leader in government mergers and consolidations.
As outgoing mayor of East Aurora, DiPietro was charged with harassment after allegedly verbally confronting and cursing a former political ally in Village Hall. He pleaded not guilty; the outcome is not widely reported, suggesting it was minor or resolved without conviction.
2008 Losing candidate in the Republican primary for the 59th New York State Senate District against incumbent Dale Volker
2010 Losing candidate in the Republican primary for the 59th New York State Senate District against challenger Patrick Gallivan
- Losing Tea Party candidate in the general election for the 59th New York State Senate District
2012 Winning Republican candidate for the 147th District New York State Assembly seat representing the southern half of Erie County and Wyoming County – 2012-present, known for conservative positions, including strong support for Second Amendment rights, efforts to reduce taxes and government size, and advocacy for small businesses and agriculture.
2013 Introduced legislation to repeal the NY SAFE Act (gun control)
His first passed bill, A.5832, made rifle hunting permanent in Wyoming County. He has repeatedly sponsored bills to eliminate hunter back tag requirements (e.g., A.1486 in 2023, similar prior versions).
2014 Voted against the Compassionate Care Act, which passed 117-13, one of 13 “NO” votes,
2015 Voted against emergency access to medical marijuana; which passed 130-18, one of 18 “NO” votes
2018 Voted to add opioid-use disorder to the list of conditions treatable by medical marijuana (108-28)
2019 Assembly sponsor of Bill# A05498 proposing to divide the state into three autonomous regions.
He has co-sponsored or supported bills for referendums on dividing New York State (e.g., into two states or three autonomous regions), including A.1978 (2023) and earlier versions, reflecting upstate/downstate divides.
DiPietro introduced A03307, the fetal heartbeat bill, also known as the six-week abortion ban. This bill requires physicians to check a pregnant woman for a fetal heartbeat before performing an abortion. A03307 states, “Any person who intends to perform or induce an abortion on a pregnant woman shall determine whether there is a detectable fetal heartbeat … If testing reveals a fetal heartbeat … no person shall knowingly and purposefully perform or induce an abortion … Whoever violates the provisions of this subdivision is guilty of abortion in the third degree.”
2020 Calls proposed legislation on mandating COVID vaccinations “very dangerous.” Proposes legislation prohibiting mandatory COVID-19 vaccination. Summary Assembly Bill A6454, sponsored by DiPietro: “Prohibits mandatory COVID-19 vaccination; limits civil liability of employers; prohibits requiring vaccination for education, employment, travel or other activities; enacts a vaccine bill of rights.”
- In December 2020, there were 27,384 COVID deaths and 733,064 COVID cases in New York State—the highest number of COVID deaths in the pandemic; there would be 3,515 COVID deaths in Erie County (0.382% of the population of 918,702 people) the country at the end of the and, 65,838 COVID deaths in New York State (0.341% of the population of 19.3M).
2021 Assistant Minority Whip, New York State Assembly
2022 Voted against affirmative action
- Voted against paid family leave
- Voted against increasing the minimum wage
- Voted against prohibiting workplace discrimination
2022 Voted against projects to address climate change
- Voted against a 3-year prohibition of hydraulic fracturing
2023 Deputy Minority Whip, New York State Assembly
- Member, Banks Committee
- Member, Correction Committee
- Member, Labor Committee
- Member, Legislative Commission on Government Administration
2021 Often described as combative or “yelling” on issues like gun rights and opposition to Democratic policies. He has been criticized for conservative votes (e.g., against early medical marijuana bills, minimum wage increases). His radio show on a Buffalo station was put on hiatus in 2021 post-Jan. 6 Capitol riot due to concerns over tone, though the host said it might return.
2024 Faces Mitch Martin in the Republican primary (June 25, 2024) and Darci Cramer, the Democrat candidate, in the general election (November 5, 2024).
2024 Easily defeats Mitch Martin in the Republican primary and Darci Cramer in the general election
2024 DiPietro, a congregant at Grace and Truth Church in Amherst, shared videos on his personal Facebook page of Pastor Michael Cesar’s sermons. Cesar made inflammatory remarks disparaging the Virgin Mary, Muslims, Hindus, Catholics, and 9/11 victims. DiPietro initially refused to fully condemn the comments, later stating he disagreed with them and opposed intolerance, while accusing media of distortion during election season. He removed the videos amid scrutiny. This drew significant local backlash and editorial criticism.
2025 Sponsored Bills:
- Efforts to place a moratorium on unfunded mandates (e.g., A.5728 in 2025, recurring theme).
- Allowing handicapped individuals to use ATVs on public property (A.954, 2025).
- Free state park access for volunteer firefighters/ambulance workers (recurring, e.g., A.4344 in 2025).
2025 He is the current New York State Assembly Minority Whip (also referred to as the Republican Whip) for the 2025-2026 legislative session. This position is part of the Assembly Minority Conference leadership, under Minority Leader Will Barclay (R-120th District). The whip role involves helping coordinate Republican members, ensure attendance, and manage party discipline on votes.
Funding Data: https://www.followthemoney.org/entity-details?eid=6679135&default=candidate.
- DiPietro’s campaigns are typically low-fundraising compared to those of many state legislators, reflecting his safe Republican district (southern Erie County and Wyoming County).
- In recent cycles (e.g., 2018 data referenced on sites like Vote Smart), funding comes primarily from individual donors, small business interests, and conservative-aligned groups.
- Post-2024 election analysis (as of mid-2025) notes that DiPietro receives less than 1% of donations from outside his district, among the lowest for Western New York lawmakers, with most funds local.
- No major controversial large donors or PACs stand out in summaries; contributions align with rural/conservative priorities (e.g., pro-2A, small business).
- One noted expenditure: His campaign committee donated over $1,800 to Grace and Truth Church (Amherst) in recent years, per state filings.
