Colin Schmitt

Colin J. Schmitt (born June 20, 1990) is an American businessman and politician who served two terms as a member of the New York State Assembly from the 99th district, which covers parts of Orange and Rockland Counties. He is a member of the Republican Party.

He ran to represent New York's 18th congressional district in the 2022, losing to incumbent Democrat Pat Ryan.

Early life and education

Schmitt was born on Staten Island and raised in Orange County, New York. He graduated from Valley Central High School in Montgomery, New York.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in politics with minors in theology and religious studies from the Catholic University of America.

Career

He started his political career in the office of then-Assemblywoman Ann Rabbitt, becoming the youngest aide to ever be hired in the Assembly. After graduating from the Catholic University of America in 2012, Schmitt joined the staff of State Senator Greg Ball, and later worked as the chief of staff for the town supervisor of New Windsor.

Schmitt is also a commercial real estate agent and a corporal in the Army National Guard.

New York State Assembly

Schmitt first ran for office in 2012, campaigning for the Assembly's 99th district. He lost in the primary to Goshen Mayor Kyle Roddey, who in turn lost in the general election to Democrat James Skoufis.

Schmitt ran for the same seat again in 2016. He won the primary uncontested but lost to Skoufis in the general election, 53% to 47%.

In 2018, after Skoufis had declared his campaign for the 39th district of the State Senate, Schmitt announced he would run for the 99th district for a third time. He defeated Democrat Matthew Rettig with 53% of the vote, and was sworn into the Assembly on January 9, 2019.

In 2020, Schmitt defeated Democratic challenger Sarita Bhandarkar to hold his seat. He was widely criticized for underhanded campaign tactics, with the Times Herald Record characterizing his attack website as "vile" and calling on voters to ignore his "nasty" attacks.

Over the course of his four years in the NY Assembly, only six of Schmitt 's prime sponsored bills became law. Three of those laws established or renewed hotel taxes in municipalities in his district. Two laws recharacterized local creeks as "inland waterways" and the sixth law permitted a town in the district to convert land that formerly was part of a park into permanent golf course use. Several of his bills that did not become law were more controversial, including an attempted ban on Critical Race Theory and classroom lessons that made students feel discomfort about racism, and a prohibition on mask guidance or mandates from New York state.

January 6 controversy

Schmitt delivered send-off remarks to two busloads of Donald Trump supporters as they headed to the Capitol on January 6, 2021 to protest the election of President Joe Biden. The disclosure of this news resulted in immediate calls for Schmitt's resignation, which he resisted. However, his decision to engage with the protesters and later defend their actions resulted in ongoing, unresolved controversy that became a central theme in his run for Congress in 2022.

2022 congressional election

Following the 2020 election, Schmitt announced his candidacy for New York's 18th congressional district in the 2022 election. Schmitt was defeated in the general election by incumbent Democrat Pat Ryan in a close race.

Clarkstown Finance Director appointment controversy

On a memo dated March 10, 2023, Clarkstown (NY) Supervisor George Hoehmann informed the town's board which stated that he had hired Schmitt to be the new Director of Finance for the Hudson Valley municipality effective March 13. However, the board reportedly did not receive the memo until hours before it was to meet on March 14. In the memo, Hoehmann described Schmitt as serving "a number of years" as Director of Finance/Chief of Staff in the Town of New Windsor in nearby Orange County. Hoehmann's memo also claimed that Schmitt was a veteran. However, New Windsor town officials said that Schmitt never served as Director of Finance there and was only employed there for less than one year. At the March 14 board, Hoehmann told the board that Schmitt would also be serving as the town's chief of staff. George Meyers, New Windsor's supervisor said, "he never had anything to do with finance here. He was a no-show chief of staff. All he ever did was campaign for the Assembly while he was here. The supervisor at the time created this job. But Schmitt didn't accomplish anything here." Clarkstown Town Board member Patrick Carroll replied that "Supervisor Hoehmann made representations that Schmitt was qualified and experienced for a financial job...this type of job shouldn't be a patronage job. The hardworking taxpayers deserve better for a steward of their money."

Veteran's status controversy

Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann's endorsement of Schmitt as a "veteran" reopened the controversy regarding Schmitt's military status. According to standards of the National Guard and the New York State Division of Veterans' Services, as reported by The Intercept, a person must serve at least "180 days of continuous active duty" on federal orders outside of training, to qualify as a veteran. Other politicians had made note of Schmitt's supposed veteran's status, notably City of Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison, who stated "Assemblyman Colin Schmitt is a veteran and a leader in the Hudson Valley who will continue to fight for public safety and a more prosperous economy. I support Colin to be our next Congressman for #NY18." This endorsement was shared on Twitter by Schmitt.

2023 New Windsor Supervisor election

In April 2023, Schmitt announced he would run for New Windsor Town Supervisor, setting up a primary against fellow Republican Steve Bedetti (a town councilman). Schmitt held a narrow three vote lead over Bedetti following election night, but after counting all absentee and affidavit ballots, Bedetti was declared the winner of the Republican primary by a five vote margin (765 to 760). Schmitt and Bedetti will face off again in the November general election with Bedetti on the Republican line and Schmitt on the Conservative Party line.

Personal life

Schmitt lives in New Windsor, New York, with his wife, Nikki Pagano-Schmitt.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Schmitt, Colin
1990 births
21st-century American politicians
Candidates in the 2022 United States House of Representatives elections
Catholic University of America alumni
Living people
Republican Party members of the New York State Assembly
New York National Guard personnel
People from New Windsor, New York
Politicians from Staten Island
United States Army non-commissioned officers