Sullivan announces 2015 mayoral campaign run

Date: 2/6/2015

WESTFIELD – City Council President Brian Sullivan wants to, in short, get things done, and he wants to do so as the next mayor of Westfield. Sullivan made the official campaign announcement Feb. 3 at the Tavern Restaurant. 

Though Sullivan said he was expecting just a small photo opportunity on the steps of City Hall to make this announcement, the turnout was more than just some friends and family. Members of the Westfield community packed themselves into the crowded room of the Tavern Restaurant to hear Sullivan’s official announcement.

“It’s only February and the election’s not until November, so to have people come out on a night like this, on a week like this where Mother Nature’s been trying to get at us the whole time, this really means a lot to me,” Sullivan said.

Mayor Daniel Knapik was among those present.

Sullivan’s fellow city councilors James Adams, Brent Bean II, Christopher Crean, Brian Hoose, Matthew VanHeynigen and Ralph Figy also came out to show their support. 

Knapik announced on Jan. 1 that he would not seek a fourth term, which caused Mike Roeder to announce his intent to run in November. Sullivan said, however, that he has been thinking seriously about running for mayor since last year and said he would have campaigned regardless of Knapik’s decision.

“I know no one will believe that, but it’s true,” Sullivan said with a laugh.

Sullivan said that the conversations about a mayoral campaign got more serious after receiving a positive response from friends, family and community members, but it was something his former dentist told him that helped confirm his interest.

“I was told a long time ago that I have the capability to bring people together and work towards a positive solution, and that’s what Westfield needs right now,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan addressed the crowded room, thanked his friends and family for their support in another Sullivan campaign and spoke of “building bridges” between the mayor’s office and the school department, Westfield Gas and Electric and, especially, the City Council Chambers.

“I know what it’s like to be a city councilor and I know what it’s like to work for mayors,” Sullivan said. “I’ve worked for four … I worked for four different mayors with four different agendas and four different focuses but I want to be that guy who brings the council to the mayor’s office and get things done.”

In addition to establishing new lines of communication in Westfield’s government, Sullivan said he hopes to add a new addition to Westfield High School.   

Lisa McMahon, Sullivan’s campaign manager, said that she has worked with him over the years and, even when they disagreed, he was there to help.

“He’s always respectful, he has always listened and he understands the process, and that’ a huge thing because, whether you know it or not, municipality is a huge process,” McMahon said. “In order to get anything done, you have to know someone who knows how to maneuver through all of that.”

Sullivan was just elected for his eighth one-year term as City Council president on Jan. 5. He has served as president for at least one year of his nine elected terms, with the exception being his first term on City Council. Sullivan said he wanted to “keep that streak going” and his ready to try the next big challenge.

“I stand before you 100 percent committed, 100 percent enthusiastic and 100 percent real that I want to be the next mayor of Westfield,” Sullivan said.

McMahon said that Sullivan’s City Council experience and his other involvements in the Westfield community make him the best man for the job.

“He’s a regular guy, he’s genuine, he’s an advocate for the people and really and truly, after nine terms on the city council and eight times elected as council president, I think he is the right leader with the right experience at the right time,” McMahon said.