Robert Smullen

Robert J. Smullen (born July 29, 1968) is an American politician from the state of New York. A Republican, Smullen has represented the 118th district of the New York State Assembly, covering parts of the North Country and Mohawk Valley, since 2019.^[1][2]

Robert J. Smullen
Smullen in 2023
Member of the New York State Assembly from the 118th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 9, 2019
Preceded by	Marc W. Butler
Personal details
Born	(1968-07-29) July 29, 1968 (age 57) Johnstown, New York
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Megan
Residence(s)	Gloversville, New York, U.S.
Education	The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina (BA) Georgetown University (MA) Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy (MS)
Signature
Website	Official website

Career

Smullen served 24 years with the United States Marine Corps, retiring in 2015 at the rank of colonel.^[1] He was a White House Fellow in the Office of the Secretary of Energy in 2003 and 2004, and more recently worked as the executive director of the Hudson River–Black River Regulating District.^[3]

New York State Assembly

In April 2018, after longtime Republican Assemblyman Marc W. Butler announced his retirement, Smullen launched his campaign for the 118th Assembly district.^[4] Smullen defeated businessman Patrick Vincent in the Republican primary, and bested Democrat Keith Rubino in the November general election with 63% of the vote.^[5]

Personal life

Smullen lives on a farm in Johnstown with his wife, Megan, and their children.^[1] His son, AJ, died in March 2024 after being struck by a car.^[6]

Legal issues

In July 2018, while running for the Assembly, Smullen was arrested after he accepted a tax exemption for veterans on two residences at once, a felony.^[7] Maintaining that the double filing had been a mistake, Smullen pleaded guilty to a reduced charge in May 2019 after he paid back the town of Niskayuna for the missing property tax.^[8][9]