Carl Williams for Mayor | Together We Are Schenectady

Carl Williams
For Mayor

Meet Carl

A Leader Rooted in Schenectady

Carl Williams is Schenectady-raised and has always wanted to give back to the city that has given so much to him. As the oldest of six children, Carl naturally assumed a leadership role, serving as a positive role model for his younger siblings and learning early the values of personal responsibility, respect for others, and the drive to be the best version of himself every day.

Carl's path to service was shaped by his experiences at Albany Academy for Boys, his first full-time job at Schenectady ARC, his studies at HVCC and SCCC, and his involvement with the Schenectady Young Male Achievers and Friendship Baptist Church. These experiences forged a leader with deep community roots and an unshakeable commitment to Schenectady's people.

A 1st Lieutenant in the NY Air National Guard with over a decade of military service, Carl brings disciplined, clear-headed leadership to public life. He has served on the Schenectady City Council since 2021, was re-elected to a second term in 2023, and was elected City Council President in 2026. He is a married father of two young children who are growing up right here in Schenectady.

Carl knows this city, loves this city, and is ready to lead it forward, understanding that We Are Schenectady.

See the Issues

Carl for Change

A New Chapter for Schenectady

Today, Schenectady begins a new chapter, one built on mutual respect, transparency, and the understanding that progress requires all of us. When one neighborhood succeeds, our entire city succeeds.

Success is never accidental. It is earned through perseverance, collaboration, and the willingness to embrace new ideas. Our future leaders are sitting in classrooms across our city. Our entrepreneurs are opening businesses despite uncertainty. Our artists continue to shape the identity of our neighborhoods. Our workers show up every day to keep this city moving forward. We already possess the tools we need to succeed. Our responsibility is to use them wisely.

This campaign is not about one person. It is about one community. It is about believing that our best days are not behind us, but still before us.

"Together, we are Schenectady."

The Plan

Together We Are Schenectady
Carl's 100-Day Plan

From day one, Carl will move with urgency and purpose. Here's what Schenectady can expect in the first 100 days of his administration.

Days 1–30 · Listen & Assess

Laying the Foundation

Launch the Schenectady Neighborhood Leadership Coalition comprised of neighborhood leaders
Establish departmental huddles to improve cross-departmental communication, accountability, and responsiveness
Meet with union leaders, community organizations, faith leaders, business stakeholders, and civic advocacy groups
Establish a Transition Advisory Council of Schenectady residents
Review all pending city contracts and capital projects
Review departmental performance metrics, staffing levels, and operational processes
Establish clear communication channels with residents, including regular public updates and opportunities for community engagement

Days 31–65 · Act & Deliver

Putting People First

Launch a Neighborhood Safety Task Force with community and police leadership
Announce an Affordable Housing Initiative with clear timelines and targets
Partner with local educational institutions, labor organizations, and workforce development agencies to expand job training, apprenticeship, certification, and career readiness programs for residents
Begin infrastructure assessment of roads, bridges, and utilities citywide
Launch a neighborhood beautification initiative focused on vacant lots, public spaces, code enforcement, and community-driven improvement projects
Introduce a youth jobs and mentorship program for Schenectady teens and partnerships to develop job training resources
Develop a coordinated response framework to address homelessness, behavioral health needs, and housing instability

Days 66–100 · Build & Report

Accountability to You

Publish a full 100-Day Progress Report to every Schenectady resident
Present a transparent 4-year strategic plan for the city's future
Outline the administration's next-year priorities, providing residents with a clear understanding of upcoming initiatives and expected milestones
Launch a citywide Digital Transparency Portal that provides residents with real-time access to budgets, expenditures, contracts, capital projects, and performance metrics
Announce priority infrastructure repair projects for the next fiscal year
Formalize partnerships with neighborhood associations, businesses, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations to support long-term community development
Host a public "State of Schenectady" address at City Hall

Endorsements

Schenectady Stands with Carl

Carl Williams is exactly the kind of leader Schenectady needs right now. Someone who listens, acts with integrity, and truly cares about every neighborhood in this city.

Community Leader

Schenectady Resident & Advocate

Carl's military discipline and community roots are exactly what City Hall needs. He has been a steady, principled voice on the Council and he will be a great Mayor.

Local Business Owner

Downtown Schenectady

As a parent raising children in Schenectady, I need a Mayor who fights for our schools, our safety, and our future. Carl Williams is that leader. He has my full support.

Parent & Educator

Schenectady City Schools

Carl has always shown up for this community, not just at election time, but every single day. Schenectady deserves a Mayor who lives and breathes this city like Carl does.

Faith Community Leader

Friendship Baptist Church

Media Center

Carl in the Community

1st Lt. Carl Williams, NY Air National Guard, holding his child

A Decade of Service

1st Lieutenant Carl Williams has proudly served in the NY Air National Guard for over ten years. Service and family, side by side.

Carl Williams and his family at the Steps for Sustainability 5K

Family First

Carl and his family at the Steps for Sustainability 5K, raising the next generation right here in Schenectady.

Carl Williams in uniform with his wife in front of a U.S. Air Force C-130

Answering the Call

Carl and his wife on the flight line, with over a decade of proud service in the U.S. Air Force and NY Air National Guard.

Carl Williams visiting a local Schenectady barbershop

In Every Neighborhood

From barbershops to community centers, Carl shows up for Schenectady's people and small businesses every single day.

Carl Williams with the New York Phoenix basketball team

Investing in Our Youth

Standing with the New York Phoenix, supporting the athletes, mentors, and programs lifting up our young people.

$Carl Williams supporting a local vendor at a Schenectady community market$

Supporting Local

Backing Schenectady's makers, authors, and entrepreneurs, because thriving local businesses build a thriving city.

Carl Williams cleaning up a wooded area in a safety vest

Taking Care of the Environment

Carl rolls up his sleeves for Schenectady, clearing trash from our green spaces and leading by example to keep our city clean for every family.

Carl Williams listening to Schenectady residents at a community event

Listening to Every Voice

Real leadership starts with listening. Carl meets residents where they are, hearing concerns, answering questions, and earning trust one conversation at a time.

Councilman Carl Williams at a community event

Leading with Purpose

City Council President and Schenectady's steady hand, prepared to lead our city forward from day one.

The Issues

A Vision for Our City

🏘️

Safe Neighborhoods

Investing in community based public safety, reinforcing trust between residents and emergency support services, and making every block safer for families to confidently invest in.

📚

Education & Youth

Transferring experiences and career expectations to our next generation of local students to ensure that every graduating Schenectady student has access to viable job opportunities that meaningfully contribute to the fabric of our community.

💼

Economic Growth

Outlining an industry strategy that limits similar businesses in close proximity while incentivizing opportunities to invest in all neighborhoods on a scaled and meaningful approach.

🏗️

Infrastructure

Establishing a city funded sidewalk maintenance program, with focuses on stabilizing our aging police department and fire stations throughout our neighborhoods to support timely responses.

🌿

Clean & Green

Promoting accessible bus routes, bike lanes, and carpooling to reduce congestion and promote a walkable city.

🤝

Community First

Increasing transparency and accountability by empowering city staff with the resources needed to meet the varying needs of our community, because when Schenectady speaks, City Hall must listen.

Events

Join Us on the Trail

May

Campaign Kickoff Rally

📍 Schenectady City Hall Steps · 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

RSVP

May

Community Town Hall: Mont Pleasant

📍 Mont Pleasant Community Center · 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

RSVP

May

Neighborhood Canvass: Hamilton Hill

📍 Meeting at 2180 Broadway · 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

May

Fundraising Dinner: Friends of Carl Williams

📍 Schenectady Museum · 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Tickets

CarlWilliams

A Leader Rooted in Schenectady

A New Chapter for Schenectady