He was born on June 29, 1935, in Plattsburgh, Clinton County, New York, the son of Halsey W. Stafford and Agnes M.
He began the practice of law in the Plattsburgh office of Harris Beach and entered politics as a Republican.
After retiring from the Senate, he became President of CMA Consulting Services, of Latham, a company owned by his wife, which supplied red light cameras.
[2] In 1973, Stafford attacked the efforts of state prosecutors to investigate the killing of 30 inmates and 9 correctional officers and employees by law enforcement shooters during the retaking of Attica Prison in September 1971.
He claimed the impaneling of a second grand jury by prosecutors had followed "'years of intense pressure from radical groups and individuals'" to "'use our law enforcement personnel as scapegoats.