About Jim Hayes

Assemblyman Jim Hayes is recognized as a fighter for our community and as a leading voice for change in Albany. Now in his fifth term, Jim is the Ranking Member of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee, a leadership position in the fight for lower taxes on families and businesses, to control state spending, rein in state debt and reform New York State government.

Through his district office in Amherst, and in dozens of town meetings, Jim listens and responds to residents of Amherst, Pendleton and North Tonawanda. Whether it is signing up for the Senior EPIC Program, tracking a STAR rebate or a host of other individual issues, Jim and his staff work to answer questions and solve problems. Jim also organizes a number of annual community events, including a popular health fair open to the public and a summer reading challenge for students in his district.

Jim works closely with local officials on hundreds of issues every year. His experience in local government gives Jim unique knowledge and perspective to help with their concerns:  before coming to the Assembly he served as Trustee and Deputy Mayor for the Village of Williamsville and then as a member of the Amherst Town Board, where he served as board liaison to the Highway Department, public library, Amherst Museum, and citizen-based Environmental and Safety committees.

Before his election to the Assembly, Jim was Director of Development for Catholic Charities of Buffalo, where he planned and directed the annual appeal, and helped create a not-for-profit foundation that helps assure long-term financial support for the agency's mission of providing basic human services to thousands of Western New York families.

Jim was also previously Director of Alumni Relations and an Admissions Counselor at Canisius College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree, and is a member of the college's DiGamma Honor Society. Jim has also been honored by Amherst’s Daemen College with an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree in recognition of service to the community.