Rob Astorino is an American politician, media executive, and broadcaster with a distinguished career spanning public service and communications. A lifelong resident of Westchester County, New York, he served as County Executive from 2010 to 2017 and was the Republican nominee for Governor of New York in 2014.
Astorino’s public service journey began early. At just 21, while still a student at Fordham University, he was elected to the Mount Pleasant School Board. His political career deepened with a 12-year tenure on the Mount Pleasant Town Board, including six years as Deputy Supervisor. In 2003, he won a seat on the Westchester County Board of Legislators, laying the groundwork for his future leadership as County Executive.
Before entering county government, Astorino built a successful career in media. In 2001, he helped launch 1050 AM ESPN Radio in New York City, overseeing its transformation into an all-sports station. He served as Senior Producer and later as Executive Producer of The Michael Kay Show.
Astorino also made a significant impact in religious broadcasting. He was station manager and program director for The Catholic Channel on SiriusXM, and co-hosted a weekly program from St. Patrick’s Cathedral alongside the Cardinal-Archbishop. His extensive coverage of Pope Benedict XVI’s 2008 U.S. visit earned him a rare invitation to speak at the Vatican about Catholic radio. A committed Catholic, Astorino has been active at Holy Rosary Church as a lector, Eucharistic Minister, and CYO basketball coach.
Following his terms as County Executive, Astorino remained active in media and politics. He has appeared as a political contributor on CNN and currently hosts Saturday Agenda on Newsmax and The Rob Astorino Show on WOR Radio.
His tenure as County Executive was marked by a focus on fiscal discipline, tax relief, and economic development. He won election in 2009 and re-election in 2013, before running for governor in 2014. More recently, he ran for the New York State Senate in 2020 and sought the Republican gubernatorial nomination again in 2022.
Astorino earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Fordham University, with minors in Spanish and Political Science. He also holds a Spanish Immersion Diploma from the Enforex School in Barcelona, Spain. He lives in New York with his wife Sheila and their three children.
