Spinner leaning on education background in race for District 11

October 18, 2026 - 21:29

POTSDAM -- The race for District 11 of the St. Lawrence County Legislature includes a political newcomer who brings more than a decade of teaching experience with her. Democrat Amber Spinner has spent 12 years working in public education, and she says that background shapes how she approaches the issues facing the county.

Spinner taught at the elementary level before moving into a role as an instructional coach, where she worked with teachers on curriculum and classroom practice. She points to that experience as preparation for the kind of listening and problem solving she believes county government needs.

Her campaign has focused on supporting working families, improving access to affordable housing, and making sure rural communities get a fair share of county resources. She also wants to see more investment in programs that help young people stay in the region after they finish school.

Spinner faces a Republican opponent in the November election. She has been knocking on doors across the district and says voters keep raising the same concerns: property taxes, the condition of local roads, and the difficulty of finding good jobs close to home.

She describes herself as a practical candidate rather than a partisan one, and says her priority is bringing people together to solve problems that affect everyday life in the towns and villages she would represent.