Pheffer Amato will not seek reelection

Southeast Queens Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato announced she will not be seeking reelection. Eagle file photo by Ryan Schwach

By Ryan Schwach

Queens Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato will not seek reelection for her Southeast Queens seat next year, she announced on Monday.

Pheffer Amato, a Democrat who has served in the Assembly since 2017, confirmed that she would not be seeking reelection on Monday afternoon after it was reported by hyperlocal outlet The Wave

“I love being in public service and representing the people of the 23rd Assembly District has been the honor of a lifetime,” said Pheffer Amato. “My team and I have built a seven-days-a-week, 365-days-a-year operation to make sure this district is well served and through that, I have had the joy of meeting with and delivering for thousands of our neighbors when they need help. But after 10 years in this position, it is time to move on and serve my community in other capacities.”

Her statement was sent out through a campaign contact and not her Assembly office, and did not give a reason for her impending departure from elected office.

Pheffer Amato was elected in 2016 to the seat, which was previously held by her mother, now-Queens County Clerk Audrey Pheffer.

In her time in theAssembly, Pheffer Amato has pushed for legislative solutions to local issues like flooding, water safety and the lack of healthcare on the Rockaway peninsula.

“This district is a pure snapshot of NYS: we are diverse, hardworking, big hearted, and have…countless opinions on every topic,” her statement read. “The people inspire me every day and have been the best part of this job. I am proud to be part of this wonderful community and proud of the work we have done together.”

The 23rd Assembly District includes parts of the Rockaway peninsula, Broad Channel Howard Beach and parts of Ozone Park. It is a strongly moderate Democrat and conservative district, with large populations of conservative voters in mainland Queens and the western end of the peninsula, as well as a bloc of orthodox Jewish voters on the border with Long Island.

In the last two elections, Pheffer Amato narrowly beat out the same Republican challenger, Army veteran Thomas Sullivan.

In 2022 she beat Sullivan by only 15 votes, a margin that was determined only after Pheffer Amato fought the election results in court.

Sullivan did not respond to a request for comment on Monday.