Meet The Candidate: Schmitt For Assembly District 99

NEW WINDSOR, NY — The races for which voters will cast ballots in the general election in November have been set. One of the contested races is for state Assembly District 99. Patch asked the candidates in the race to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day nears.

Republican incumbent Assemblyman Colin Schmitt, 30, is running to represent the 99th state Assembly District. His opponent is Sarita Bhandarkar, a Democrat.

Schmitt, who lives in New Windsor, is finishing his first term in the Assembly. He's also a member of the Army National Guard. He previously served as the chief of staff for the town of New Windsor.

Schmitt is also a licensed commercial real estate agent. He is married and has an Assembly dog named Quincy.

State Assembly District 99 is comprised of Stony Point in Rockland County and part of Orange County.

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am running for re-election to continue serving our community and fighting for our Hudson Valley values in Albany. I have worked hard over my first term to lead the fight for clean water, advance real property tax relief, stand against the rapid expansion of high density developments changing our rural character, and keep our communities safe and secure.

The single most pressing issue facing our community, and what I intend to do about it.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all of us. The immediate health and safety response and long economic term recovery has and will continue to have vast impacts on our district. That is why since day one I have helped lead the local response both as Assemblyman and Member of the Army National Guard. I will not let up in my efforts until we fully beat this disease.

PPE Distribution: Provided first responders, frontline workers, and re-opening businesses with PPE, masks, and hand sanitizer to combat COVID-19.

Food Insecurity Relief: Restocked food pantries in our district and ran a hot meal distribution program for seniors and vulnerable populations across both Orange and Rockland Counties.

Constituent Assistance: Have helped over 7,000 constituents in need of assistance during this trying time, including many with unemployment issues. If you are in need of assistance do not hesitate to reach out.

Helping local families and small businesses: Helped pass critical COVID-19 relief legislation to help local families and small businesses overcome and recover from COVID-19. I also launched a reopening and long term economic recovery task force where I have successfully pushed Congress to modify the federal Paycheck Protection Program, formally requested an independent federal investigation into NYS COVID-19 nursing home deaths and got in-person graduation ceremonies authorized.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidate seeking this post?

I have a proven track record of getting the job done and delivering real results for our Hudson Valley Values over the last two years. I am not beholden to the radical New York City political machine but instead focus on what matters most to us here in Orange County and Rockland County

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I am focused on the successes of the last two years and working together to accomplish even more for our district moving forward. Key priorities for our district include ensuring our communities are safe and secure, fighting for clean drinking water, preventing high-density housing developments from changing our rural character and real property tax relief.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

From day one I have hit the ground running to deliver in bipartisan fashion for our district. I have passed legislation, restored millions of dollars in funding cuts and secured critical funding for infrastructure, water projects, libraries, schools and other key priorities. My office has handled thousands of constituents cases, including over 7,000 along regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and related issues. I am always available for our district and will continue to be over the next two years

The best advice ever shared with me was …

I will always remember being told “you may not be able to change the entire world in a single day, but you can change the whole world for a person that day.” That is something I keep in mind each day and try to remind my staff when it comes to our work. When we are answering a neighbor's call for help it is the most important thing in the world to them and I take that very seriously. We do everything we can do to solve that problem and change their world for the better.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

It has been an honor to serve our district for the last two years. I am a lifelong local resident living with my wife Nikki and our adopted catahoula dog Quincy in New Windsor. I serve in the Army National Guard, stationed right here in our Assembly district. I commit myself to our district 24/7; always focused on the needs of the communities I love. My focus is always on the best interests of our district. I pledge to continue to devote all of my energy to represent every single resident of our district in bipartisan fashion. As always if you need anything do not hesitate to reach out. I am here for you.

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