Sean proudly grew up in Lackawanna, where he learned the value of hard work from his father who was a firefighter, and his mother, who was a teacher. Western New York is his home, and Western New York values are a part of who he is. As a kid, Sean was taught that if you work hard, you will be secure, you will have a place in the economy, and you can live the American dream. During his senior year in high school, that abruptly came to an end when Bethlehem Steel closed down. Thousands lost their jobs, and family, friends, and neighbors were all displaced in the economy. For generations, Western New York struggled to get back on its feet.
Today, Sean resides in the City of Buffalo with his wife, Catherine Creighton, and their two daughters. He is proud of the work he has done as a member of the State Legislature that has helped transform the Western New York economy over the last decade. He learned the lessons of Bethlehem Steel and has used those lessons to guide his work to help ensure steady progress for Buffalo and Western New York. As State Senator for the new 61st District, he will keep working to build on that progress.
Sean is a graduate of SUNY College at Fredonia and Brooklyn Law School with broad legal experience, including work for the Legal Aide Bureau of Buffalo and Neighborhood Legal Services, a private law practice collaboration with the Learning Disabilities Association of WNY, concentrating on the rights of disabled students. His legal career highlights include a record award for a victim of housing discrimination, a successful challenge to a school district’s denial of special education services to children enrolled in parochial schools, and an action to compel enforcement of Buffalo’s Living Wage Ordinance.
In 2008, Sean began working with People United for Sustainable Housing, Inc. to create a non-profit development entity called the Buffalo Neighborhood Stabilization Company, Inc. (BNSC). Sean served as the Executive Director and General Counsel of BNSC and worked to create a redevelopment plan for a section of the West Side of Buffalo.
Sean has served on the Board of Directors, and provided legal representation and guidance, for numerous non-profit organizations including Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper, Housing Opportunities Made Equal, Autistic Services Inc., Coalition for Economic Justice, and the City of Buffalo’s Living Wage Commission.
As a legislator, Sean has championed many different issues including creating a fair economy for all, lower taxes for middle-class families and small businesses, increased investment in education, waterfront development, neighborhood redevelopment, clean air and water, environmental protection, strengthening gun safety laws, and protecting reproductive choice. Sean is eager to build on his work to continue fighting for Western New York families with another term in the New York State Senate.