Chautauqua County Family Court will soon be welcoming Michael Sullivan as the new judge.

Sullivan received 28,655 votes or 60.76 percent of the vote, while Sally Jaroszynski, the Democratic candidate, received 18,477 votes or 39.18 percent.

Sullivan said he is grateful for the support shown by voters, and said it has been a long campaign. The Republican candidate said he found out the former family court judge was retiring in April, and has since put several thousand miles on his car traveling across the area.

“I think I got to all but two towns,” Sullivan said. “I had a great time campaigning. I appreciate the voters putting their faith in me.”

He said being rated highly qualified was helpful, as well as the work he has done in the court in the past. His first step as the new family court judge is to continue working to identify those who are drug addicted in families faster and get them into treatment faster.

“I appreciate the support and I look forward to making sure the family court is a place families feel safe and comfortable knowing they are getting a fair trial,” Sullivan said.

Jaroszynski said she is disappointed, but has spoken with Sullivan and congratulated him.

“I congratulated him on the race,” she said. “I would characterize the campaign as a difficult one. I had a lot of challenges to overcome as many known, but that’s in the past and I’m going to be looking forward.”

Sullivan has practiced law in New York since February 1985 and has maintained his law office at his current address, 7 E. Main St. in Fredonia since 1991. A graduate of the Syracuse University College of Law, he received his undergraduate degree from the University of Dayton, Dayton Ohio. He is a member of the Northern Chautauqua County, and the Erie County Bar Associations. He serves on the New York State Child Welfare Court Improvement Project Steering Committee. He is co-chair of the adolescent Subcommittee. Sullivan is also a panel member on the New York State Surrogate Decision Making Committee.

Sullivan served 25 years as a member of the Dunkirk-Fredonia Salvation Army Advisory Board. He served 14 years as a member of the SUNY Fredonia College Council, from 1997 until 2011. He continues to be an active member of the Fredonia Volunteer Fire Department having served the community in that fashion for thirty years.

Sullivan is a member of St. Joseph’s Church in Fredonia. He resides in Fredonia with Valerie and their grandson, Joshua.