“But the title I like most is ‘senior person in Brooklyn politics.’” he said with a smile. 

In an exclusive one-on-one with Seddio in his Downtown Brooklyn office, and, in a very down-to-earth and unassuming fashion, he spoke candidly and extensively about his background, his involvement in politics, and his most recent experience attending President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address.

“One of the things on my bucket list was to attend a State of the Union Address,” Seddio said. “I’ve been involved in politics for more than 60 years and done just about everything else —  including attending four Democratic National Conventions, two presidential inaugurations (for Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama) — but I’ve never attended a State of the Union.”

Seddio recalled that he recently had this conversation with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, “and the next thing you know, I get a call from his office, and I was invited to attend.”

Seddio described the experience as “unique” and “democracy at its best.”

“U.S. Senators are all there; the joint chiefs of staff are there; the Supreme Court; the cabinet — probably every important person in America is in that room at one time. 

“My wife and I sat about 10 seats away from President Biden’s wife, Jill. We were in a wonderful spot, looking right down on the president. We got to see him face-to-face as he was looking up.”

Seddio, who has met with Biden several times over the years, said he was “thrilled by his speech. It was the Joe Biden that I’ve gotten to know over the years.”   

Seddio described the president as being “right on target and at his best.”

“We hear all too often about ‘making America great again,’” he noted. “But America is great. And Biden’s speech has made it clear that if we are going to be a greater country, he’s going to be the one to make that happen.” 

With regard to Biden’s advanced age, Seddio said he likes the idea that someone with Biden’s life experience is running for president “because it covers the gap from the very young who aren’t involved enough, to people who are running our government today that are in senior positions.”

“We can’t be cast aside because we hit a certain age; what level of discrimination does that become?” Seddio asked. 

“I absolutely think Biden has what it takes and is going to be the winner of the election — and that’s not just optimism. I’m someone who has calculated political campaigns for 60 years. And I’ve looked at all of the factors that are involved in this race.”

Seddio, a lifelong Brooklynite who grew up in Canarsie — “the old Canarsie,” as he puts it — in the 1950s and 1960s, started his foray into politics decades ago in the mid-1960s.

“As a teenager, I always liked politics and was always active in my community,” Seddio said, adding that he was fortunate growing up “because in my neighborhood, you either became a gangster — or something else. And quite a few of my friends became gangsters.”

Seddio ultimately joined the Knights of Columbus as a teenager, and they channeled his energies into good things, he noted. 

And by the age of 20, he became a New York City police officer — one of the youngest at the time — (serving 23 years) and also became involved in running events for the city.

“My first major event was the West Indian Day Parade — one of the most famous parades in New York City today,” Seddio said. “I was responsible for the coordination of the police detail for the first parade back in 1969. Certainly, no one ever thought at the time that it would end up being such a meaningful event.”

In the ‘90s, Seddio was a member of Community School Board 18 and president of the Thomas Jefferson Democratic Club (TJDC) — “the longest-running Democratic club in the state of New York, and still the most powerful,” he pointed out. “And I’m proud to say that I have been a member there for over 50 years.”

The TJDC is one of the most active political organizations in New York City, representing the communities of Mill Basin, Flatlands, Bergen Beach, Georgetown, Marine Park, Mill Island, Bayview, and the Glenwood Houses. It is a home to community activists and elected officials who have a shared interest in the success and flourishment of the aforementioned areas of Southern Brooklyn.

Seddio also served as a member of the New York State Assembly, representing southeastern Brooklyn from 1998 to 2005, before serving as a Kings County Surrogate Court Judge from 2006 to 2007. 

Reflecting on his life, Seddio pointed out that he has had the great fortune of learning first-hand from some very qualitative people.

“I’ve had really good teachers, and that allowed me to become the person I am today,” he added.

Asked what keeps his flame burning bright, Seddio just smiled and said, “It’s about loving life. I enjoy what I do. And as the saying goes, ‘if you enjoy what you do, it’s not really work.’”