As a candidate for the New York State Assembly, my goal is to build strong partnerships between local governments and state representatives. Effective governance relies on collaboration between town leaders and state officials to ensure that our communities receive what they need and that the resources secured by these leaders reach the people they are meant to serve. Unfortunately, partisanship has often stood in the way of these efforts.

Throughout my campaign, I reached out to local leaders, offering to discuss ways we could work together for the benefit of our communities. Sadly, only two leaders responded—one simply to express support for the Republican Candidate. This lack of engagement highlights the detrimental impact of partisanship on our ability to ensure that the resources meant for our residents actually make it to them.

My approach is simple: I want to listen to local leaders and find solutions for issues like infrastructure, public safety, and securing state funding. Yet, many leaders seem more focused on political loyalty than on ensuring the people they represent receive the support they need. This hesitation to engage, driven by party politics, prevents us from effectively delivering for the people we serve.

When political loyalty outweighs community needs, we all lose. Critical projects remain stalled, and local voices are drowned out by party politics. Residents care less about party affiliation and more about whether their roads are repaired, their schools funded, and that the resources leaders obtain on their behalf actually reach their communities.

The influence of higher-level political leadership also discourages open communication. Local leaders may fear repercussions from party bosses, undermining their ability to advocate for their communities and ensure that resources intended for their towns and villages are effectively utilized. This top-down control stifles the very essence of representative democracy.

Despite these challenges, I remain committed to fostering collaboration across party lines. My focus is on serving the community, not advancing a political agenda. I will continue to reach out to local officials and build relationships based on shared goals, regardless of political affiliation, because it's the only way to ensure that the people receive what they are promised.

To the two leaders who engaged with me, I thank you. To those who remained silent, my door remains open. I am committed to serving all residents and putting community needs above partisanship.

At its core, representation is about serving people, not parties. If elected, I will prioritize the needs of our towns and villages, working tirelessly to bridge political divides and ensure our communities receive the support and resources they deserve. Together, we can rise above partisanship and build a better future for our district.

JAMES SCHULER