I’m Julian Kovacs, and I’m proud to be running for Colonie Town Board. Colonie is a place that has shaped who I am, and a place I believe in with all my heart.

I was born and raised right here in Colonie. I went to school in the North Colonie Central School District and spent my teenage years balancing school, work, and community involvement. Whether it was bagging groceries at Stewart’s, working the counter at Popeyes, or performing with the Shaker Theatre and Music Departments, I learned early on the value of hard work and staying involved. I was active in the Boy Scouts, earning the rank of Eagle Scout in 2019, and also participated in a wide range of activities: the TRI-M Music Honor Society, Resolving Suspenders, Young Democrats, and even indoor rock climbing and high ropes classes. I’ve always believed that when you’re part of a community, you show up for it.

I took that same mindset with me to Hartwick College, where I double majored in Public Health and Political Science. But college wasn’t just about the books. It was about being hands-on and making an impact. I spent four years doing community service, from cleaning up streets and restoring gardens to organizing family friendly events. That work earned me Hartwick’s George F. Goodwin Sustained Service Award, an honor that means so much to me because it reflects how I was raised in the Boy Scouts, to leave things better than I found them.

I also served in a number of leadership roles on campus. As a Senior Tour Guide and Blue Key Ambassador, I helped lead a team of student workers who welcomed prospective families and supported enrollment efforts. I mentored first-year students, helped create a sense of belonging in the residence halls during the height of the COVID pandemic, and played an active role in student government, Greek life, and academic organizations. My time at Hartwick taught me how to listen, organize, and lead with empathy, along with skills I bring with me every day.

Today, I work in the New York State Assembly, where I assist in shaping the state budget and help Assembly Members working on legislation that makes a real difference in people’s lives. It’s behind the scenes work, but it’s meaningful, and it keeps me focused on outcomes that matter: affordability, access, and opportunity for every New Yorker.

Outside of politics, I’m deeply involved in the local community. I stage managed with the Schenectady Light Opera Company and love being part of the region’s arts scene. With “Titanic” being the first musical I was in for Family Players of NENY back in 2009, I help care for my grandparents, babysit for friends, and spend a lot of time walking my black lab, Velvet, around our neighborhoods and parks. I love Colonie because it’s home, simple as that.