The Cost of Cronyism: Why Municipal Expertise Is Being Replaced by Political Alignment

In towns and cities across America, public service is too often entangled with political loyalty. When professional roles are treated as rewards for alignment rather than responsibility, communities pay the price. This dynamic is not abstract. It plays out in highway departments, water systems, code enforcement offices, and municipal administrations every day.
 A deputy highway superintendent, or any senior municipal employee, may bring years of operational knowledge, budget experience, regulatory familiarity, and institutional memory to the job. Yet when that position is politically appointed, competence can become secondary to allegiance. If the individual is not perceived as sufficiently aligned with the Town Board or department leadership, their future can hinge less on performance and more on politics. The message to employees becomes clear: loyalty matters more than expertise.

This topic is particularly close to my heart. I was an appointed deputy highway superintendent for the Town of Queensbury, in upstate New York for three years. Prior to that, I had served two highway superintendents as their confidential administrative secretary. Also, I have a bachelor's degree and I am a veteran of the Military Intelligence Corps. Despite being significantly more qualified than any other candidate – arguably more qualified than the highway superintendent himself – I was ousted because, despite being registered with the same political party as my boss and the members of the Town Board, they knew I wasn't truly 100% politically-aligned with them. I was blind-sided and devastated.

Despite getting along well with everyone, despite being their go-to guy when they needed information or to get something done, they wanted me out. They didn't care about knowledge and experience – they wanted someone who they knew agreed with them on national topics such as immigration and LGBTQ rights. They certainly didn't want their future highway superintendent to be someone who could be perceived as “Woke.” They ended my career and my investment in the retirement system to replace me with a truck driver.

This culture harms morale first. Skilled professionals who have invested years mastering procurement rules, state highway specifications, labor management, and capital planning quickly learn that merit is conditional. When institutional knowledge is pushed out the door, the loss is not just personal, it is structural. Roads still need paving, equipment still needs maintaining, and budgets still need balancing. Experience cannot be replaced by enthusiasm alone.

The financial consequences can be significant. Municipal highway departments manage millions of taxpayer dollars in equipment purchases, fuel contracts, materials, and infrastructure projects. An experienced administrator understands competitive bidding laws, state reimbursement programs, and long term asset planning. When those responsibilities are handed to individuals without comparable background, the risk of costly mistakes increases. Poorly structured contracts, missed grant opportunities, and avoidable compliance issues directly affect taxpayers.
There is also the issue of accountability. When political alignment becomes the primary qualification, oversight weakens. Board members may be less inclined to challenge decisions made by allies. Mistakes are minimized, rationalized, or quietly absorbed into next year’s budget. The public rarely sees the internal debates that never happen. Healthy governance requires tension, questioning, and a diversity of viewpoints. A department filled with people selected for agreement rather than competence is less likely to self correct.

This pattern is not limited to local government. At the national level, critics often argue that appointments can reflect loyalty over qualifications. Figures such as Pete Hegseth, Kash Patel, and Pam Bondi are examples of political alignment shaping advancement. Regardless of one’s view of these individuals, the broader concern remains consistent: when perceived loyalty becomes the dominant credential, public confidence erodes. Citizens begin to question whether decisions are being made in the public interest or in service of political cohesion.

The damage extends beyond budgets and projects. It affects public trust. Residents expect that those overseeing road safety, snow removal, drainage infrastructure, and emergency response coordination are selected because they are the most capable. When hiring decisions appear political, trust declines. Cynicism grows. Voter engagement becomes more reactive and less constructive.

None of this suggests that elected officials should be excluded from shaping their administrations. Democratic governance allows voters to choose leaders who reflect their priorities. However, there is a meaningful difference between setting policy direction and staffing technical roles. A Town Board may determine budget priorities, but the execution of those priorities requires technical competence. Blurring that line risks substituting loyalty for proficiency.

Communities thrive when expertise is valued, even when it challenges the majority view. A skilled administrator who disagrees respectfully can prevent costly errors and provide alternative perspectives grounded in experience. Governance improves when boards tolerate dissent and prioritize qualifications.

Ultimately, roads do not care about party lines. Snow does not fall differently based on political affiliation. Infrastructure demands competence, planning, and accountability. When municipalities prioritize alignment over ability, the cost is measured not only in dollars but in deteriorating trust and diminished public service. The communities served deserve better.

*Note: Most American readers may be confused by the idea of a politically-elected highway superintendent, and your confusion makes sense. Elected highway superintendents almost entirely in the northeastern states of the U.S., and yes, it's absurd. You certainly don't get the most qualified individuals via elections.