He received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in marketing Saint John"s University in 1964. He went on to earn an Master of Business Administration from Long Island University in 1972 and a Doctor of Philosophy as a Doctorate of Philosophy, Business and Public Administration from Columbia Pacific University in 1981.
Barraga was raised on Long Island, attending Saint Joseph"s Elementary School in Babylon and graduating from Saint Anthony"s High School in Smithtown. Barraga served six years in the United States. Marine Corps Reserve, receiving an honorable discharge in 1966. Initially working in the private sector, Barraga held positions with the American Can Company, Dun and Bradstreet, and Pfizer.
He first entered politics in 1977, serving as Town Clerk for the Town of Islip.
On November 8, 2005, he was elected in the 11th Legislative District to the Suffolk County Legislature. Barraga resides in West Islip.
He was formerly vice-chairman of the board of trustees at Suffolk Community College. On January 29, 2014, Barraga wrote a letter to a young constituent whose mother was struck by a car that made an illegal left-turn, seriously injuring her, while she was riding a bicycle in Babylon.
Barraga advised that he felt, "no one. who lives in Suffolk County should ever ride a bicycle or motorcycle." Barraga went on to state that additional signage and/or bike lanes would do little to solve the problem, as motorists would ignore signs regardless. "Reality at times can be difficult for some to come to grips with but giving false hope would be inappropriate.".
He previously was a member of the New York State Assembly for 23 years. He was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1983 to 2005, sitting in the 185th, 186th, 187th, 188th, 189th, 190th, 191st, 192nd, 193rd, 194th, 195th and 196th New York State Legislatures.
