Retired Army Colonel Sullivan has launched his third bid for a New York state Assembly seat in Southern Queens. His platform prioritizes emergency medical response, public safety, and tax reductions.

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The 15-vote margin that defined the 2022 race

Sullivan's campaign is fueled by a history of extremely close electoral contests in the Southern Queens district. According to the report, Sullivan lost the 2022 election to incumbent Stacey Pheffer Amato by a mere 15 votes, a margin that underscores how volatile this seat can be.. With Pheffer Amato now stepping down, the upcoming contest has transformed into a high-stakes rematch between Sullivan and Pesach Osina, who secured the Democratic primary in June by defeating attorney Mike Scala with a roughly two-to-one margin.

A push for Level 1 trauma centers following the death of Officer Jonathan Diller

Emergency medical infrastructure on the Rockaway peninsula has become a central pillar of Sullivan's platform. the candidate pointed to the 2024 killing of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller in Far Rockaway as a tragic example of the area's medical shortcomings. As the report notes, Diller was transported to Jamaica Hospital—approximately nine miles away—leading Sullivan to argue that the lack of a local Level 1 trauma center is a life-or-death issue for the community. He contends that improved hospital access and faster emergency response times are just as vital to public safety as traditional policing.

The clash between the PBA and the Police Conference of New York

The political landscape in Southern Queens is increasingly defined by a tug-of-war over law enforcement endorsements. While Pesach Osina secured the support of the Police Benevolent Association, Sullivan has leaned on the endorsement of the Police Conference of New York, which represents roughly 50,000 officers across the state. Sullivan has expressed personal frustration with the PBA's decision, citing his own family's deep roots in New York City law enforcement:

  • His father served as an NYPD detective.
  • One brother served in the Secret Service.
  • Another brother was an inspector with the Port Authority Police.
  • His youngest brother joined the NYPD.

Sullivan, who served 30 years in the Army Reserve with deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait, argues that his military and law enforcement background provides a unique perspective on community security.

Can a tax freeze overcome Pesach Osina's primary momentum?

Economic policy remains a primary battleground as Sullivan proposes a strict tax freeze followed by actual tax cuts to combat the high cost of living. He argues that the current tax burden on residents and small businesses in Southern Queens is disproportionately high compared to other states. However,several critical questions remain regarding how this election will ultimately be decided. It is unclear if Sullivan's fiscal message can overcome the Democratic momentum Osina gained in the June primary,and the campaign has yet to provide specific details on how a state-level tax freeze would be implemented without impacting other essential local services.