Michael Benedetto (born June 2, 1947) is a Member of the New York State Assembly representing the 82nd Assembly District, which covers the Co-op City, Throggs Neck, Westchester Square, City Island, Country Club, and Pelham Bay sections of the East Bronx. After a 35-year teaching career at the elementary and secondary school level, he was first elected to the State Assembly in 2004. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

Benedetto was born in the Bronx in 1947. He holds a B.A. in History/Education from Iona College and a M.A. in Social Studies/Education. In 1981, Benedetto co-founded the Bronx Times-Reporter, a weekly newspaper, with John Collazzi.^[1]

Benedetto introduced a law prohibiting tackle football for ages 13 and under, in order to protect young children from concussion related developmental problems.^[2]

Benedetto first ran for office in 1976, losing to Republican Assemblyman Guy Velella.^[3] Two years later, Benedetto ran against Republican State Senator John D. Calandra and lost by 1,121 votes.^[4]

In 1980, Benedetto attempted to run again against Calandra. Bronx Democratic leaders, who maintained a non-aggression pact with Calandra, allowed him run in the Democratic primary.^[5] Calandra defeated Benedetto to win the Democratic nomination,^[6] and in the general election as the candidate of both the Republican and Democratic parties, Calandra easily defeated Benedetto, who ran on the Liberal Party ticket.^[7]