State Assembly Member - District 32
Paul Nichols
Attorney and pastor in Queens who has served as chief of staff and chief counsel in the New York State Legislature and, since December 2025, as New York Managing Director of External Affairs for Achievement First.
Where they stand
Housing, foreclosure and tenant protections
Calls for emergency eviction protections and rent relief for district families. His campaign says he joined tenant advocates in making that call and that he has worked on foreclosure prevention to keep vulnerable families in their homes.
Schools and early childhood education
Supports investing in public schools, supporting teachers, improving resources for students, and expanding after-school and youth programs for every child in the district.
Health care and Medicaid
Supports expanding access to affordable health care and mental health services, and protecting the community clinics that serve working families in the district.
Background
Ran for governor of New York in 2022.
- Attorney for more than 20 years, with legal experience in Queens County Supreme Court and private practice
- Former chief counsel and chief legislative aide to the President of the New York State Senate; has also served as a chief of staff in the State Legislature
- Policy and legislative work in the U.S. Congress
- New York Managing Director of External Affairs for Achievement First since December 2025; said in Feb. 2026 that charter schools and traditional public schools both serve important needs, and argued for equitable funding and facilities for all students and for collaboration between the two systems
- Pastor in Queens; runs a church-affiliated theater company whose plays address topics including bullying and mental health
- Ran for governor of New York in 2022
- Sought the June 2026 Democratic primary for this seat; the city Board of Elections kept him off the primary ballot on April 10, 2026, finding his amended cover sheet did not comply with election law and Board rules; a court dismissed his case seeking to validate the petition for lack of personal jurisdiction on April 28, and the Appellate Division affirmed that dismissal on May 14, 2026
Support
No endorsements beyond The Answer ballot nomination were found as of Sept. 30, 2026.
Money
$2K
raised
Top donors: Tianna Armstrong, Otis Nichols, Damion Robinson
Others running for State Assembly Member - District 32