A Fredonia resident who is serving as a Chautauqua County Family Court judge is running for a second term. Michael Sullivan, who was first elected to the post in 2016, has announced his re-election campaign as the endorsed candidate on the Republican and Conservative party lines. Judge Sullivan says his decision to seek another term is rooted in his commitment to the people who come before Family Court and to ensuring that every person who enters the courtroom is treated with fairness, dignity, and respect.
Sullivan says, "As a Family Court Judge, I have the responsibility to apply my experience and knowledge to impact the lives of children, parents, and families at the most difficult moments of their lives. I take that responsibility very seriously, and I am asking the voters of Chautauqua County for the opportunity to continue that work."
Sullivan emphasized that Family Court requires more than knowledge of the law. It requires patience, compassion, careful listening, and the ability to make tough decisions while keeping the best interests of children and the needs of families at the center of the process.
Sullivan says, "Family Court is about people. It is about protecting children, supporting families, and making sure that everyone who appears before the court has an opportunity to be heard. I believe my experience and commitment to public service have prepared me to continue meeting those responsibilities, experience matters."
During his time on the bench, Sullivan has continued his work with the New York State Court Improvement Project, an initiative focused on strengthening the child welfare and Family Court systems and improving outcomes for children and families. These efforts bring together attorneys, court personnel, social-service professionals, and community organizations to address complex issues that regularly come before Family Court.
Judge Sullivan has been assigned 16,000 petitions filed in Chautauqua County Family Court and 850 more in Cattaraugus County. He also serves as an acting Supreme Court and County Court Judge, handling conflict cases from those Chautauqua County Courts.
Sullivan is being challenged by Dunkirk resident Alexandria Moss, who announced her candidacy on social media in the summer.
