Mark Assini has the backing of the Monroe County Republican Party in his bid for county executive.
For Assini, politics is personal.
"I love Monroe County. I love my neighbors," he said. "I truly do, and it just breaks my heart seeing some of the things going on. And I know with my experience in the both the public sector and private sector, I can make a difference."
Assini served as Gates town supervisor for 8 years, leaving that office in 2018 to work as chief administrative officer of American Rock Salt in Livingston County.
But recently, Assini said something drew him back to public service.
"Watching the news, my wife and I are seeing all these terrible things happening in our community."
Assini said he believes the top issues for voters are public safety, the opioid crisis and the economy.
He also wants to work to change attitudes on policing — something he said he accomplished in Gates by connecting the community with officers.
"Our community loves their police in Gates, and that closeness equated to pride," Assini said. "It equated to police officers realizing the community was on their side and not against them and vice-versa."
On the opioid crisis, Assini said Monroe County is falling behind — specifically when it comes to treatment facilities.
"A comptroller's report came out about 10 weeks ago and it showed that we have less treatment beds than anybody in Upstate New York," Assini said. "Albany, Onondanga, Erie County have two and half times the number of treatment beds that we have here in the community. That's a huge issue. It's one of the reasons the opioid epidemic has gotten so out of control."
On jobs, Assini said he'll collaborate to bring work to Monroe County.
At Rochester Tech Park, Assini said he secured a company called Maximus moving in by working with the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA) to get transportation for workers.
"You have to be able to get your employees from point A to point B to work and back again, and that was critical for them locating at the Tech Park."
Assini is challenging incumbent County Executive Adam Bello, a Democrat whose budget was approved unanimously by county lawmakers with more funding for the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, the opioid epidemic and jobs programs.
Assini said he thinks he can bring a better focus to those issues and said he understands voters are sick of the divisiveness of campaigns.
"It doesn't help people to denigrate your opponent, or personal attacks," he said. "It doesn't forward the community in any way. It doesn't help the community in any way."
Assini said his family is supportive of his run and understands his passion for public service.
Monroe County Democratic Committee Chairman Stephen DeVay released a statement saying "Mark Assini is out of touch with the values of Monroe County voters, and I welcome the contrast voters will see with County Executive Adam Bello’s record."