A Falls firefighter has decided to apply politics to his community service.
Sam Farruggia, a member of the Niagara Falls Fire Department and officer in the firefighter’s union has announced his intention to run for the 6th District seat in the Niagara County Legislature. That seat is being vacated by incumbent Legislator Chris Voccio (R-Niagara Falls) at the end of the year.
Farruggia will be running for the seat as a Democrat.
“As a firefighter and father, I am committed to the well-being of our families, public safety, and the future of our community,” Farruggia said in announcing his candidacy.
A Falls native, who grew up in the neighborhoods that encompass the 6th legislative district, Farruggia said he attended city schools before graduating from Niagara Catholic in 2009. Farruggia then attended SUNY Niagara, where he earned an associate’s degree in science.
He left the falls to attend the University of South Florida and earned a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology. Following college, Farruggia said he returned to his hometown “to start a family of my own in a city that I love.”
After joining the Falls Fire Department, Farruggia worked as a line firefighter and was recognized by Mount St. Mary’s Hospital and the Niagara County Legislature in 2022, receiving the Excellence in Patient Care Award. He was also honored as the NFFD Young Firefighter of the Year in 2023.
Farruggia said he became active, early in his career, with his union, Niagara Falls Firefighters Local 714. He was appointed the union’s Political Action Committee (PAC) chairperson just prior to the 2023 election cycle.
“I was able to work alongside many members of local government, union leaders, and committee members to forge and maintain strong relationships for our union,” Farruggia said.
He continued to move the union’s ranks, being elected in 2024 as the local’s secretary.
“As secretary of a local labor union, I work alongside my fellow executive board members to review and approve budgets, advocate for safe working conditions and fair wages for our members and maintain bipartisan political relationships,” Farruggia said. “As a union member working in public safety, and a father of two young children, I share the same concerns of most area residents: quality of life, safe and fair working conditions and pay, and a bright future for individuals and families to thrive.”
Farruggia promised a strong and aggressive campaign to flip a previously long-time Democratic seat on the legislature.
“I am running for the 6th District legislator seat because I believe this district deserves strong representation from someone who is willing to put in the work, stay motivated, and represent the people’s concerns,” he said. “As a public servant, I would like to further my role in aiding the community by responding after an incident to also supporting legislation that protects the livelihood and well-being of our citizens.