Veteran Al Quattlebaum announces campaign for New York's 82nd Assembly District, pitches trades and veterans-first agenda

Al Quattlebaum, a U.S. Army and National Guard veteran and longtime Co-op City community advocate, said he is running for New York's 82nd Assembly District and vowed to prioritize veterans, vocational education and transparency from Albany.

Quattlebaum, who said he was born in the South Bronx and grew up in the Paterson Houses, told WBLS's Open that after dropping out of high school he earned a GED, served in the military and returned to train in culinary arts. "I learned culinary arts," he said, noting he built a catering business that supported his family. He said that experience led him to push for practical, marketable skills in schools.

"Why not bring trade back to our schools?" Quattlebaum asked, adding: "Let's give a kid a hammer instead of putting pressure on them to go to college." He said reviving co-op and trade programs would provide pathways to steady work in fields such as auto mechanics, carpentry and plumbing.

Quattlebaum criticized the current Assembly member, whom he identified as the Assembly education chair, saying the Bronx remains "one of the worst failing school districts in the state." He called for "actionable and measurable" solutions rather than symbolic initiatives.

Veterans' issues topped his list of priorities. "We serve our country ... and then come home to what? Nothing," Quattlebaum said, arguing that homelessness among veterans is "too high" and that returning service members need jobs and housing more than ceremonial recognition. He said his campaign platform will put "veterans and families first."

Quattlebaum described ongoing community work in Co-op City, including a weekly food pantry on Einstein Loop and serving as building association president. He also said he is the associate minister at Co-op City Baptist Church, 135 Einstein Loop, and named the pastor as Reverend Dr. Sheldon E. Williams.

On constituent engagement, Quattlebaum said he would bring bills to the district for public input before voting in Albany. "Half of the people in our districts don't even know what an assembly person does," he said, arguing elected officials should consult residents before casting votes.

Campaign plans he outlined included door-knocking and local events tied to Black History Month and the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus in Albany. He named Kevin Meggitt as a supporter and said his campaign website is Al4ny.com. Quattlebaum said he intends to campaign through at least June for the Democratic nomination and then continue through November.

The interview concluded with the host thanking Quattlebaum and the program moving to a break. No formal filings, endorsements beyond those mentioned, votes or policy proposals with statutory citations were recorded during the segment.