Stacy Pheffer Amato has represented this district in the State Assembly since being elected in 2016. Her mother had held the same seat for almost 25 years until 2011. Pheffer Amato, who worked for several New York City Government agencies before being elected, chairs the Governmental Employee Committee and focuses on legislation related to public employees’ benefits and rights. A prolific lawmaker, she got dozens of her bills signed into law, with recent examples related to health insurance coverage for surviving spouses of firefighters and retirement for court officers who are hurt on the job. This year, Pheffer Amato introduced a bill that would treat disruptive protests as acts of domestic terrorism. 

Tom Sullivan is a military veteran and small business owner who served in the US Army for 30 years and recently retired as a Colonel in the US Army Reserves. Sullivan grew up working for his family’s restaurant, where he still handles all the financial and accounting work. He is currently a financial consultant for Equitable Advisors and the president of Breezy Point Alabama Properties LLC. In a candidate questionnaire submitted to CU, he stated his support for most of CU’s policy goals but mentioned he opposes sameday voter registration and proposals aimed at increasing police accountability. His top priorities are reducing crime, combatting the Fentanyl crisis, and restoring voting integrity. Additionally, he vows that, if elected, he will enact policies that create youth drug educational programs, more aggressive drug treatment programs, and harsher prison terms for drug manufacturers and distributors. Sullivan also supports legislation to repeal no cash bail laws, lower property taxes, and mitigate the migrant crisis.