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Colin Schmitt
Member of the New York State Assembly from the 99th district
In office January 9, 2019 – December 31, 2022
Preceded by	James Skoufis
Succeeded by	Chris Eachus
Personal details
Born	(1990-06-20) June 20, 1990 (age 33) New York City, New York, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Nikki Pagano ​ ( m. 2018)​
Education	Catholic University ( BA)
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Rank	Sergeant
Unit	New York Army National Guard  • 1569th Transportation Company

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. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

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. ^[4]

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in politics with minors in theology and religious studies from the Catholic University of America. ^[5]

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. ^[6]

During his time in New Windsor, Schmitt worked on a wide variety of projects. Some of these include economic development, the restoration of New Windsor Woodlawn Cemetery, the construction of an all-inclusive playground at Kristi Babcock Memorial Park, and the creation of an Tree Committee and Arbor Day celebration honoring first responders and veterans. ^[7]

Schmitt is also a commercial real estate agent and a Sergeant in the Army National Guard. ^[1]

New York State Assembly

Schmitt first ran for office in 2012, campaigning for the Assembly's 99th district. ^[8] He lost in the primary to Goshen Mayor Kyle Roddey, who in turn lost in the general election to Democrat James Skoufis. ^[9]

Schmitt ran for the same seat again in 2016. ^[10] He won the primary uncontested but lost to Skoufis in the general election, 53% to 47%. ^[11]

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. ^[12] He defeated Democrat Matthew Rettig with 53% of the vote, and was sworn into the Assembly on January 9, 2019. ^[13]

In 2020, Schmitt defeated Democratic challenger Sarita Bhandarkar to hold his seat winning all ten towns of that district that year. ^{[14] [15]}

Over the course of his four years in the NY Assembly, Schmitt passed 9 prime sponsored bills through the chamber and co-sponsored over 75 other’s that passed the Assembly. 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, ^[16] and a prohibition on mask guidance or mandates from New York state. ^[17]

2022 congressional election

Following the 2020 election, Schmitt announced his candidacy for New York's 18th congressional district in the 2022 election. ^{[18] [19]} Schmitt was defeated in the general election by incumbent Democrat Pat Ryan in a close race, ^[20] one of the closest races in the country. Schmitt was supported by local and national small business groups including NFIB. ^[21] In addition to being a small business advocate, Schmitt campaigned on support for police, tighter border security and tackling the fentanyl crisis. ^{[22] [23]}

January 6 controversy

Prior to announcing his run for Congress, Schmitt delivered send-off remarks to members of the Orange County Right to Life non-profit before they headed to the Washington, DC on January 6, 2021. The disclosure of this news resulted in immediate calls for Schmitt's resignation, which he resisted. ^[24] His original opponent Sean Patrick Maloney and other democrats attempted to make it a campaign issue.

Veteran's status controversy

Following Election Day, numerous media outlets reported on the attempt by a firm connected to the DCCC to illegally access the military records of Republican elected officials and candidates for congress. Schmitt was one of the Republican candidates targeted by opposition research groups attempting to illegally access private military records. During the campaign some of Schmitt’s records were used in a report by the Intercept questioning the use of the term "veteran" to describe Schmitt by certain political supporters. ^{[25] [26]}

Career after State Legislature

Following leaving the State Legislature it was rumored that Colin Schmitt may run for New York State Republican Committee Chair. Schmittnded up not running but was appoin eted by Clarkstown (NY) Supervisor George Hoehmann to be the new Director of Finance for the Hudson Valley municipality effective March 13. ^[27] This position serves as the pleasure of the Town Supervisor, still garned opposition from the sole Democrat on the Town Board, Patrick Carroll who stated "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." ^[28] Schmitt previously served on the local governments committee in the State Legislature and represented parts of Rockland County. ^[29]

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). ^[30] Schmitt held a narrow three-vote lead over Bedetti following election night. Still, after counting all absentee and affidavit ballots, Bedetti was declared the winner of the Republican primary by a five-vote margin (765 to 760). ^[31] Schmitt was the Conservative Party general election nominee. ^[32]

New York Army National Guard

Schmitt is an active member of the Army National Guard, currently serving for over nine years. At the onset of COVID-19, Schmitt was activated with his unit, 1569th Transportation Company, for the COVID-19 Relief Mission to distribute PPE throughout the state. ^{[33] [34]} Between Christmas and New Year 2022, Schmitt was activated for the Buffalo Blizzard Mission. ^[35]

Personal life

Schmitt lives with his wife, Nikki Pagano-Schmitt, in New Windsor, New York. ^[36]

References