NYC General Election 2020: Thomas Sullivan Challenges Addabbo
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MIDDLE VILLAGE, QUEENS — Voters in Queens' 15th Senate district, which covers a stripe of Central Queens from Forest Hills all the way to the Rockaway Peninsula, will see two names on their ballots when they vote in the Nov. 3 election.
Republican Thomas P. Sullivan is taking on incumbent state Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., who was first elected in 2008.
Sullivan is a Breezy Point resident who has served nearly three decades in the U.S. Army Reserve and has experience as a finance professional and small business owner. This is Sullivan's second attempt to unseat Addabbo.
He is vying to represent the 15th Senate District, which includes parts of Broad Channel, Elmhurst, Forest Hills, Glendale, Hamilton Beach, Howard Beach, Kew Gardens, Kew Gardens Hills, Maspeth, Middle Village, Ozone Park, Rego Park, Richmond Hill, Ridgewood, South Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Woodside and most of the Rockaways.
Patch reached out to all candidates in the election to create these profiles.
All New York voters may request a mail-in ballot due to the coronavirus pandemic.
For those who want to head to the polls, click here to find your poll site. Early voting is available from Oct. 24 to Nov. 1.
Thomas P. Sullivan
Age as of Election Day (Nov. 3)
49
NYC neighborhood of residence
Breezy Point
Position Sought
State Senate
Party Affiliation
Republican/Conservative
Family
Spouse-Deborah (49), Son-Sean (18), Son-Jack (18), Daughter-15 (Grace)
Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No
Education
B.S. Business & Finance, MBA Management, MSS (Master in Strategic Studies)
Occupation
Financial Services (27yrs), Colonel United States Army Reserves (28yrs), Restaurant Owner (10yrs)
Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office
None
Campaign website
Why are you seeking elective office?
Improve Education and Support our Teachers, Defend the Rights of Law Abiding Citizens and Support our Law Enforcement Officers, Improve the Quality of Life for All New Yorkers; Education, Safety, Health, Transportation and Infrastructure
The single most pressing issue facing our nation/state/community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.
Financial Stability (Budget Deficits)
What are your thoughts on the state and national response to the coronavirus pandemic? Do you favor such measures as limiting operation of non-essential businesses or restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a nationwide mask mandate?
No national mask mandate. I support localized common sense measures guided by government and private sector leadership based on medical facts and best practices.
How would you address the concerns of the Black Lives Matter movement, and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?
I would talk to respected leadership from the community; Education, Religious, Civic, government, law enforcement...etc for a coordinated effort that is acceptable by all. I do not recognize self-proclaimed Socialist organizations that promote violence as a means to intimidate and destroy public and private property.
What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I have worn many hats in 28 yrs; Private Sector Financial Professional, Established Military Leader, and a Small Business Owner vs a Career Politician.
If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)
Failed to maintain affordability (Property Taxes) of our communities, steady decline in quality of life issues (Safety/Infrastructure/Cleanliness).
Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform
Support for our Teachers, Law enforcement, and Law Abiding Citizens
What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I have worn many hats in my life and walked in the shoes of the people in my district. I have helped my clients and firms navigate through 3 financial crisis; the "Dot Com Bubble" from 1995 to 2001, the Housing Crisis in 2008, and currently the COVID Crisis. I played a critical role in our firms recovery from the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001 where we lost 25% of our firm, to which I was awarded the Soldiers Medal for Heroism. For 28 years I have lead Soldiers in combat operations on the battlefields in Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan. I was responsible for the lives of hundreds of Soldiers and their families' welfare, as well as tens of millions of dollars in equipment and weaponry. I owned a restaurant for 10 years and now helping an 82 year old family business pass to another generation. I am familiar with the challenges of being a small business owner, a Soldier, and a private sector employee. Lastly, I served (Volunteer) on the board of directors for a community of 2,834 homes. Responsible for a 12 million dollar operating budget, Youth and Adult Activities, Public Safety (Security, Volunteer Medical Professionals, Lifeguards).
The best advice ever shared with me was:
Before you can claim to be or support something you have to have done it yourself, unlike our career politicians!
What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I have a long history in my professional career, military service, and community of bringing people together for the common good.
This article originally appeared on the Forest Hills Patch
