Tom Carle is running as a Democrat for District 150.

Former Chautauqua County Legislator Tom Carle has announced his candidacy for the 150th state Assembly running on the Democratic and Working Families line in the Nov. 3 General Election facing off against Republican incumbent Andrew Molitor of Westfield. Carle says that “he can improve our representation on the state level in all regards and that his record in both the private and public sectors proves it.”

As a county legislator, Carle worked together with Republicans to do the majority of the county’s business, was vocal in meetings and was a member of the Public Safety committee, supporting the Sheriff’s Department and Emergency Services. The areas that Carle did not agree with the majority were taxes and expenses. In Mayville, he voted to reduce the county sales tax and to increase the city, town and village sales tax shares, in addition to a reduction in the county property tax levy. Carle also voted against a mortgage tax to reduce closing costs on real estate sales.

Former Legislator Carle was in favor of utilizing a portion of the unassigned county fund balance to aid residents, struggling municipalities and to free up dollars for local food banks. He was the first to caution on project over-commitment when state and federal funds were in question. He worked to protect the home of one of his constituents from tax foreclosure, when they had issues with the county accepting their county tax foreclosure payment.

During the federal budget shutdown in 2025, Carle called for an emergency meeting of the County Legislature to ensure that there was a path for county residents to access the county administered federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other programs that help low income, county residents buy food. Carle addressed the legislature on the homeless and temporary housing issue in Fredonia and also uncovered an exorbitant salary issue for some county positions that remains unaddressed.

While serving in the Legislature, Carle recognized further opportunities to aid the county and took on a campaign for County Executive. During that 2025 election race, Carle represented new approaches to resolving county issues, and demonstrated a perspective that can control spending while increasing opportunities and growth. Carle did not support the plans for a $120 million plus jail project, did not support a plan to move the county offices to the Chautauqua Mall and is of the opinion that the Industrial Development Agency (IDA) project in Ripley is a poor investment, and the investment should have been closer to our own population centers rather than North East, Pa. Beyond all of that is the fact that Republican leadership for the past 20 years has allowed the loss of more than 12,000 residents and a comparable number of jobs, while increasing the size and expense of county government by twenty percent, which is counter-intuitive. Republicans on all levels, own the county’s decline. Carle said that he can help to reverse those trends by applying his experience and developing the relationships with business and governmental leaders in the county and elsewhere, to benefit our corner of New York State.

“Unlike what you have witnessed with our incumbents at the state level, which is little to nothing to improve our lives, you can expect that I will work for the citizens to be an impactful voice in the State Assembly, for the future of Chautauqua County. You won’t have to wonder if I am working for you in Albany, it will be obvious” said Carle.

In the New York State Assembly, Carle will have the opportunity to scrutinize and reduce state expenditures, working to reduce the ‘over-taxed’ stigma that we all know so well, that it has become a Republican talking point to defend their poor performance in Western NY. Carle said,”those representing our region, including my opponent, are just not up to the task of bringing opportunities, prosperity and affordability to us, due to their lack of experience and lack of the necessary skill sets. When you combine those factors with their lack of confidence and inability to step forward due to past poor performance and party instruction, it is detrimental to our collective future – whether you are an “R” or a “D” or an “I” you are negatively impacted. Our current elected representatives at the state level just can’t get it done.”

“Though the governor has been generous to our county, with hospital funding, loans and assistance, I expect my alignment with the state majority will allow me to improve the county’s condition and future, in a way that our Republican representation never could, because our voice will be in the majority for the first time, in a long time” said Carle. On issues, Carle is in favor of continued natural gas usage, CLCPA target revision, renewable energy generation, strictly controlling energy pricing, controlling data centers and battery energy storage system (BESS) placements, resolving the homeless crisis state-wide and reversing the 20 year trend of population and job losses.

Carle is of the opinion that we need to choose better and more capable people to represent the district and other key positions. “Returning to a Democratic majority in the county legislature this election would be a terrific first step towards affordability and progress for all of us. Without significant change, we will continue to decline, losing jobs and population, which brings us back to why I am running for the Assembly” Carle said.

In 2024, Carle mounted an unsuccessful campaign for Congress against Republican Congressman Nick Langworthy. He intended to run again this year, but reconsidered after his county experience and the emergence of congressional candidates Aaron Gies and Kevin Stocker. The two candidates are currently campaigning for the June 23 Democratic Congressional Primary.

*We need the voters of Chautauqua County to understand that their needs are not being met and it is important to choose better on all levels of government. We must recognize the differences and utilize the skill sets of candidates rather than continue to allow the decline of our county. I have turned performances and finances around in every company that I have worked in! Every one of them! And I have voted against taxes and voted for reductions every time that I could as a County Legislator. I uncovered a mismanagement of salaries. I stood up for homeowners and for those in need during the federal shutdown! I can do all of that and more for you on the state level, as your Assemblyman! I can get things done for us! We just have to “Choose Better” Carle said.

More information about Tom Carle can be found at https://facebook.com/Carle.for.Assembly