The Dutchess County Legislature has the potential to be shaken up on Election Day.
Out of the 25 districts within the county, 14 are contested races in the Nov. 4 general election.
In Dutchess County, early voting will be held Oct. 25 through Nov. 2 at multiple polling locations.
On Election Day, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. To find your polling location, visit elections.dutchessny.gov.
Here’s who is running for Dutchess County Legislature in 2025. To find your district, visit gis.dutchessny.gov.
The candidates, who are listed in alphabetical order, were asked about their background and experience, what they believe are the most pressing issues in the community and their goals if elected. Responses were given through email or over the phone.
Skip to your district: District 1 | District 2 | District 3 | District 4 | District 5 | District 6 | District 7 | District 8 | District 9 | District 10 | District 11 | District 12 | District 13 | District 14 | District 15 | District 16 | District 17 | District 18 | District 19 | District 20 | District 21 | District 22 | District 23 | District 24 | District 25
District 1
Dutchess County Legislature District 1 represents the Town of Poughkeepsie.
Robert V. Gorman (Republican, Conservative)
Website: dutchessny.gov/Departments/County-Legislature/District-1.htm; Facebook: @Bob Gorman; Instagram: @bobgorman62
Incumbent Bob Gorman did not respond to a request for comment.
According to the county website, Gorman is a resident of the Town of Poughkeepsie who previously served on the Town of Poughkeepsie Planning Board, and has a third-generation family business called Gorman’s Garage, which was originally established in 1935.
He is president of the Empire State Towing and Recovery Association, having volunteered for over 20 years with the association. He also volunteers for the nonprofit organization Angels of Light.
Gorman is a member of the Environment Committee and the Environment Subcommittee to Interview Candidates, the Public Works and Capital Projects Committee, a legislative appointee for the Architect, Engineer and Construction Management Selection Committee, as well as the majority liaison for the Dutchess Community College Board of Trustees.
Trevor Redl (Democratic, Working Families)
Website: redlforall.com; Facebook: @Trevor Redl for Dutchess County Legislature; Instagram: @redlforall
Trevor Redl, a lifelong Dutchess County resident and Marist University graduate, is founder of the Poughkeepsie Weekly and chair of the Town of Poughkeepsie Housing Committee.
The community’s most pressing issues to Redl are housing costs, high taxes, and ensuring the county government works for the people, not special interests.
Creating an affordable housing plan, “cutting red tape,” he said, for small businesses, investing tax dollars back into the area, fighting for better buses, safer streets, walkable and bikeable neighborhoods, and phasing out waste incineration with more responsible waste management, are his main focuses.
“When businesses look to invest here, one of the reasons they don’t is because of housing supply and the cost of it,” Redl said. “Housing is very much so linked to our local job market and opportunities.”
Redl promised to turn constituent concerns into action, creating a county government that hears and works for its residents.
District 2
Dutchess County Legislature District 2 represents LaGrange, Pleasant Valley and the Town of Poughkeepsie.
Emma Arnoff (Democratic, Working Families)
Website: emma4dutchess.com; Facebook: @Emma Arnoff 4 Dutchess; Instagram: @emma4dutchess
Emma Arnoff, a social worker at The Sensory Space in Poughkeepsie, said she has dedicated her life to serving the community, giving children and parents a place where they feel welcomed and understood.
Arnoff has coached Little League, partnered with local schools and worked with organizations like Astor Services and Think Differently to ensure “every child has the chance to thrive,” she said.
To her, the greatest area challenges are the rising cost of living, the housing shortage, as well as underfunded mental health and emergency services.
If elected, her goals are to make life more affordable and safe by building more housing, expanding mental health services, along with strengthening EMS and public transportation.
“Our county government is not doing enough to make Dutchess County affordable for the people who live and work here, and I’m running to change that,” Arnoff said.
Ryan Travelpiece (Republican, Conservative)
Website: dutchessny.gov/Departments/County-Legislature/District-2.htm, ryantravelpiece4dutchess.com; Facebook: @County Legislator Ryan Travelpiece; Instagram: @ryantravelpiecedclegislator
Incumbent Ryan Travelpiece currently serves as the vice chair of the Budget, Finance and Personnel Committee, as a member of the Family and Human Services Committee, and is also a representative of the legislature on the Audit Review Board, the Local Early Intervention Coordinating Council as well as the Youth Board and Coordinating Council.
Property taxes, Travelpiece said, are one of the top concerns he hears from constituents and will work to keep them in check if reelected.
He noted the county must continue to have a healthy bond rating, a robust fund balance and implement smart budgeting practices that fund essential services at the best value for the taxpayer.
If elected, Travelpiece would continue to support veterans and public safety issues, such as grants to bolster transportation options for veterans as well as the funding for the Real Time Crime Center and EMS services.
District 3
Dutchess County Legislature District 3 represents LaGrange.
Michael Polasek (Republican, Conservative)
Website: dutchessny.gov/Departments/County-Legislature/District-3.htm, michaelpolasek.com; Facebook: @Mike Polasek
Michael Polasek, the incumbent candidate for District 3, has served LaGrange residents for six years, and for the past two years as an Assistant Majority Leader.
During his time in office, he highlighted his support of cuts of property taxes, creation of the Real Time Crime Center, the county’s Department of Mental Health, the Youth Wellness Support Microgrants program, as well as investment in the Drug Task Force, supplemental EMS service, the Dutchess County Airport and Dutchess Community College’s trade programs. He also supports making Veterans Affairs a distinct unit of Dutchess County Government.
If reelected, Polasek said his goals are to continue controlling Dutchess County property taxes, while delivering mandated essential services, supporting economic development to foster growth, promoting public safety, such as tick disease education and prevention, maintaining a high quality of life in the area, including inclusive parks, and balancing the needs of small businesses and residents.
David Siegel (Democratic, Working Families)
Website: davesiegel4dutchess.com; Facebook: @Dave Siegel 4 Dutchess; Instagram: @davesiegel4dutchess
Dave Siegel has been a Town of LaGrange resident for 31 years and raised his family in town.
He became involved in local politics after retiring from a 40-year information technology career, becoming the secretary of the LaGrange Democratic Committee.
Siegel has goals to cut wasteful spending and redirect funds to address community needs and public safety.
Other priorities for Siegel include expansion of county mental health services and EMS services. He aims to preserve clean air and water too, which he said is a problem that begins with the incinerator in Poughkeepsie that’s nearing the end of its life.
If elected, Siegel promised to address the lack of affordable housing by exploring creative methods, securing funding for local initiatives, fighting climate change challenges and improving veteran and senior services.
“LaGrange should have a representative who listens, cares and gets results for families and local businesses,” Siegel said.
District 4
Dutchess County Legislature District 4 represents Hyde Park and the Town of Poughkeepsie.
Anthony Avello (Republican, Conservative)
Facebook: @Anthony Avello for Dutchess County Legislator District 4; Instagram: @weekendatbernies23
Anthony Avello did not respond to a request for comment.
Brendan Lawler (Democratic, Working Families)
Website: dutchessny.gov/Departments/County-Legislature/District-4.htm, brendanlawler4dc.org; Facebook: @Brendan Lawler, Dutchess County Legislator, District 4; Instagram: @lawler4dutchess
Brendan Lawler, the incumbent candidate, is a high school social studies teacher who has been at Arlington High School since 2003. He was appointed to the Dutchess County Legislature in 2021, filling the remainder of an unexpired term.
The lifelong county resident lost his bid for a full term that year, but ran again and won the election in 2023.
Lawler said the county’s pressing issues are the mental health crisis, county spending habits and lack of economic and social opportunities for kids.
If elected, his top priorities are expanding mental health services, particularly for children, supporting students at Dutchess Community College, and stopping wasteful county tax dollar spending on “enormous pay raises and lawsuits,” he said.
“I come from a family that believes dedicated public servants are critical to strong communities and our democracy,” Lawler said. “My faith as a Roman Catholic also guides my commitment to serve others.”
District 5
Dutchess County Legislature District 5 represents the Town of Poughkeepsie.
Tony D’Aquanni (Republican, Conservative)
Website: dutchessny.gov/Departments/County-Legislature/District-5.htm; Facebook: @Tony D’Aquanni, Dutchess County Legislator
Tony D’Aquanni, a Poughkeepsie homeowner and businessman for 30 years, is the incumbent.
He said he champions the environment, public safety, veterans and seniors, as well as putting money back into the community so “citizens and small businesses can flourish.”
As District 5 Legislator, he has supported lowering county property taxes, EMS services, microgrants and transportation funds for veterans, the Municipal Investment Grant Program to support seniors, waste reduction as Chair of the Environmental Committee, and protecting local aquifer and water sources.
He is also on the Budget, Finance and Personnel Committee, the Family and Human Services Committee, a nonvoting member of the Airport Advisory Committee, and a member of the Veterans Affairs Committee.
“If re-elected I pledge to continue to represent Dutchess County residents with the same common-sense approach to decision making that serves the best interest of all of our neighbors,” D’Aquanni said.
Anna Shah (Democratic, Working Families)
Website: annashah4dutchess.com; Facebook: @Anna Shah 4 Dutchess
Anna Shah is a lifelong Poughkeepsie resident, a Spackenkill High School graduate and is currently raising a family in the area.
She has worked as an attorney for the past 25 years, “defending rights, due process, and dignity, protecting public health, and giving a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves,” Shah said.
She has also led as a Parent Teacher Student Association president and volunteered for local organizations.
Families in the community, according to Shah, are burdened by rising costs, limited affordable housing, gaps in mental health care, aging infrastructure and the lack of safe and walkable neighborhoods.
“Our most fundamental rights are being eroded, while families are asked to shoulder more with less,” Shah said.
If elected, she would bring her expertise and advocacy to the role by asking tough questions, preventing wasteful spending and working to deliver transparency, accountability and opportunity for all residents.
District 6
Dutchess County Legislature District 6 represents the Town of Poughkeepsie.
Lisa Kaul (Democratic, Working Families)
Website: dutchessny.gov/Departments/County-Legislature/District-6.htm, lisakaul4dutchess.org; Facebook: @Lisa Kaul, Dutchess County Legislator, District 6; Instagram: @lisakaul4dutchess
Lisa Kaul, the unopposed incumbent candidate, is a grassroots activist and volunteer who was born in India, moved to Poughkeepsie in 2004 and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2008.
If elected, she will continue to work to strengthen the community through affordability and accessibility, with a focus on addressing the housing crisis, high taxes, food insecurity, health services for seniors, veterans and for those with mental health problems and disabilities, along with making childcare more affordable.
Kaul noted goals to build economic opportunities through education and training, including ensuring BOCES and Dutchess County Community College offer pathways in demand for skilled workers.
Regarding smart growth and sustainable infrastructure, Kaul emphasized the need to build on previously developed sites before clearing more green spaces and improved waste management systems.
Lastly, if elected, she would work for greater fiscal responsibility and completion of projects within the county.
District 7
Dutchess County Legislature District 7 represents Hyde Park and Pleasant Valley.
Lew Darrow (Republican, Conservative)
Facebook: @Lew Darrow for Dutchess County Legislator District 7
Lew Darrow is in his first campaign for an elected position, but has served the community for over 30 years as a member of the Roosevelt Fire District, as well as previously being fire chief. He’s also been a bus driver for the Hyde Park Central School District for the last 18 years.
To Darrow, affordability is the county’s most critical issue, as well as public safety.
If elected, his goals are to keep property taxes from growing by ensuring the county keeps sufficient reserves, maintains a strong bond rating, consolidates services and shrinks costs in the county budget.
Additionally, he would support the continued investment of the Drug Task Force to continue decreasing opioid deaths in Dutchess County and support programs to aid the EMS crisis.
“As a lifelong first responder, I think I am uniquely positioned to add my perspective to these deliberations,” Darrow said.
Trish Prunty (Democratic)
Website: trish4dutchess.com; Facebook: @Trish4Dutchess; Instagram: @trish4dutchess
Trish Prunty, for 30 years, has worked as a fundraiser for nonprofits directly supporting families, children and seniors in Dutchess County.
Prunty has served for a decade on the Pleasant Valley Planning Board as a member and chair, where she said she learned the importance of smart planning and responsible government for residents’ quality of life.
“We all work hard to afford to live here, but wasteful spending and misplaced priorities have left critical needs like housing, mental health and public safety underfunded,” Prunty said.
If elected, she would work to prioritize investing in what matters to residents including building more housing, expanding mental health, children and senior services, increasing public safety and cutting waste by securing outside funding.
District 8
Dutchess County Legislature District 8 represents the City and the Town of Poughkeepsie.
Craig P. Brendli (Democratic, Working Families)
Website: dutchessny.gov/Departments/County-Legislature/District-8.htm; Facebook: @Craig Brendli, Dutchess County Legislator, District 8
Craig Brendli, the incumbent and unopposed candidate, did not respond to a request for comment.
According to the county website, Brendli currently serves as a member of the Budget, Finance and Personnel Committee, the Family and Human Services Committee, along with the Family and Human Services Subcommittee to Interview Candidates.
He is a minority designee for the Community Development Advisory Committee and a member of the Tick Task Force too.
District 9
Dutchess County Legislature District 9 represents the City of Poughkeepsie.
Barrington R. Atkins (Democratic, Working Families)
Website: dutchessny.gov/Departments/County-Legislature/District-9.htm; Facebook: @Barrington R. Atkins Dutchess County Legislator District 9; Instagram: @district9legislator
Barrington Atkins, the incumbent and unopposed candidate, did not respond to a request for comment.
According to the county website, Barrington is the Assistant Minority Leader and the Ex Officio on all Legislative Committees.
He is a member of the Dutchess County Criminal Justice Council, the Justice and Transition Center Advisory Committee and a liaison for the Youth Board and Coordinating Council.
District 10
Dutchess County Legislature District 10 represents the City of Poughkeepsie.
Randy Johnson (Democratic)
Website: dutchessny.gov/Departments/County-Legislature/District-10.htm; Facebook: @Randy Johnson Dutchess County Legislator – 9th District
Randy Johnson, the incumbent and unopposed candidate, did not respond to a request for comment.
According to the county website, Johnson is a member of the Budget, Finance and Personnel Committee and on the Budget, Finance and Personnel Subcommittee to Interview Candidates.
He’s the vice chair of the Public Works and Capital Projects Committee and on the Public Works and Capital Projects Subcommittee to Interview Candidates.
Johnson is also a member of the Emergency Housing Facility Stakeholder Group and the Hudson Valley Regional Council.
District 11
Dutchess County Legislature District 11 represents Clinton, Pleasant Valley and the Town of Rhinebeck.
Brennan Kearney (Democratic, Working Families)
Website: dutchessny.gov/Departments/County-Legislature/District-11.htm; Facebook: @Brennan Kearney, Dutchess County Legislator – Clinton & Rhinebeck
Brennan Kearney, the incumbent and unopposed candidate, did not respond to a request for comment.
According to the county website, Kearney is a member of the Family and Human Services Committee, the Public Safety Committee, the Criminal Justice Council, the Merit Award Board, and is minority leader designee of the Architect, Engineer, and Construction Management Selection.
District 12
Dutchess County Legislature District 12 represents East Fishkill.
John D. Metzger (Republican, Conservative)
Website: dutchessny.gov/Departments/County-Legislature/District-12.htm
John Metzger, the incumbent and unopposed candidate, did not respond to a request for comment.
According to the county website, Metzger is a member of the Budget, Finance and Personnel Committee, the Justice and Transition Center Advisory Committee and the Architect, Engineer and Construction Management Selection Committee.
He is also the chair of the Public Works and Capital Projects Committee and on the Public Works and Capital Projects Subcommittee to Interview Candidates.
District 13
Dutchess County Legislature District 13 represents East Fishkill and Wappinger.
Kevin M. Giles (Republican)
Website: voteforgiles.com; Facebook: @Kevin Giles for District 13 County Legislator
Kevin Giles, a lifelong Dutchess County resident who raised his children in the area, has been involved with his local community for years as a youth baseball coach, commissioner and board member.
In his campaign, he’s knocked on more than 1,000 doors, meeting his neighbors and learning their top concerns, which he said are taxes and the cost of living.
Giles said, if elected, he will work to keep taxes down by using his expertise from the private sector to identify wasteful and duplicative spending.
Next, he noted maintenance and growth of Dutchess County programs that support families and children, such as ones that invest in youth sports leagues and youth centers, as well as programs for veterans and seniors, including funding for transportation and for capital improvements to senior centers.
Lastly, he’d work to invest in public safety, and specifically mentioned EMS, the Drug Task Force and local police.
Michael Kuzmicz (Conservative, Freedom Party)
Email: MKuzmicz65@gmail.com
Michael Kuzmicz is running on a third-party line, he said, to give people another option, which he feels is important in politics nowadays.
“Many people say that sometimes they aren’t satisfied with either party,” Kuzmicz said, “so this gives them a third option.”
Over the years, he has served as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, then a councilman for the Town of Wappinger for eight years, as a liaison to the Town of Wappinger Recreation Committee, as a former Assistant District Attorney, and worked as vice president of J.P. Morgan for 20 years.
For Kuzmicz, his goal is to take care of people, such as the average taxpayer, veterans and seniors, through an efficient budget that allows for greater affordability for residents.
If elected, he would work to keep taxes as low as possible so people can afford to continue to live in the county.
Keith Odums (Democratic, Working Families)
Website: keith4dutchess.com; Facebook: @Keith ForDutchess; Instagram: @keith4dutchess
Keith Odums’ campaign is built on listening to the community, addressing concerns and delivering sustainable improvements through “four key pillars,” he said: social well-being, environmental stewardship, infrastructure development and fiscal responsibility.
If elected, Odums said he would invest in public health, education, housing and safety.
Additionally, Odums noted, to improve quality of life, he would invest in promoting sustainable practices, protecting natural resources and enhancing green spaces via eco-friendly services.
Plus, he highlighted investment in modern, resilient infrastructure for smart growth, including upgrading water and sewer systems, ensuring access to clean drinking water, improving stormwater management, maintaining wastewater treatment, and expanding public transportation options to better connect our communities.
Lastly, he said he is “committed to fiscal responsibility through transparent budgeting and diversified revenue sources, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and effectively to meet today’s needs while planning responsibly for tomorrow.”
District 14
Dutchess County Legislature District 14 represents the Town of Poughkeepsie and Wappinger.
Lynne Miele-Versaci (Republican, Conservative)
Website: dutchessny.gov/Departments/County-Legislature/District-14.htm; Facebook: @Lynne Miele-Versaci for County Legislator; Instagram: @lynnejcw
Lynne Versaci, the incumbent candidate for District 14, currently serves as a member of the Public Safety Committee, the Government Services and Administration Committee and the Veterans Affairs Committee. She’s also chair of the Tick Task Force.
The county’s top concerns for Versaci are taxes and the cost of living.
“We need to ensure our community is affordable for those that want to stay here and for young adults, like my own two children, to be able to settle down here,” she said.
Versaci, as legislator, voted to reduce the county’s property tax rate, for the establishment of the Real-Time Crime Center and to increase grant funding for seniors.
If reelected, she would continue advocating for grant funding that goes back into the community, particularly for seniors, enhancing safety by supporting investment into law enforcement and EMS funding, and push for lower taxes by ensuring an efficient county budget.
Alix Winsby (Democratic, Working Families)
Website: alixwinsbyfordutchess.com; Facebook: @Alix Winsby for Dutchess; Instagram: @alixwinsby_for_dutchess
Alix Winsby, a small business owner and mother of two who served on the Village of Wappingers Falls Planning Board, has committed to building safe, sustainable and connected neighborhoods if elected.
She currently serves on the Wappingers Historical Society and the Advisory Board for the Friends of Carnwath boards.
Winsby emphasized traffic and pedestrian safety, as well as creating walkable areas. Her vision is to strategically build sidewalks, bridges and easements that connect residents to schools, green spaces and local businesses.
“Wappinger, Poughkeepsie and the Village of Wappingers Falls are more than pass-through towns — they’re vibrant communities that deserve strong representation,” Winsby said.
Winsby’s goals if elected include addressing the housing crisis, improving air quality and countywide waste, water and energy services, advocating for safer pedestrian walkways and roads, expanding mental health services for children and veterans, as well as fighting wasteful spending of county tax dollars.
District 15
Dutchess County Legislature District 15 represents Wappinger.
Robert S. Faust (Republican, Conservative)
Website: dutchessny.gov/Departments/County-Legislature/District-15.htm; Facebook: @County Legislator Robert Faust
Robert Faust, the incumbent and unopposed candidate, did not respond to a request for comment.
According to the county website, Faust and his family have called the Town of Wappinger home for 25 years.
Faust was a police officer for 23 years in the Town of Poughkeepsie and then at the Westchester County Police Department.
As legislator, his vision is to build a safer county, prioritizing public safety, lower taxes, improved infrastructure and easier access to mental health services.
Faust is the chair of the Public Safety Committee and on the Public Safety Subcommittee to Interview Candidates. He is also on the Public Works and Capital Projects Committee and on the Public Works and Capital Projects Subcommittee to Interview Candidates.
Faust is also a nonvoting, Ex Officio Member of the Airport Advisory Committee, a member of the Criminal Justice Council and a liaison for the Fire and Safety Advisory Board.
District 16
Dutchess County Legislature District 16 represents Fishkill and Beacon.
John Forman (Republican, Conservative)
Facebook: @John Forman
John Forman, previously a legislator for 12 years, with 10 years in District 18 and two years in District 16, was most recently elected in 2021, serving a four-year term on the Fishkill Town Board.
He’s been in the insurance industry for 40 years and is the president of the Forman and Murray Insurance Agency, Inc.
“I use the resources I have developed over my time in local politics to help as many people as I can,” Forman said. “When I can successfully help somebody, I know that I’ve had a good day.”
Forman noted property tax relief is a top priority and pressing need, as well as ensuring county funding, including mini grants, are allocated to the Town of Fishkill and the City of Beacon.
If elected, he would be “visible” at Beacon City Council meetings and Fishkill Town Board meetings and will get county funding for the district.
Yvette Valdés Smith (Democratic, Working Families, United Fishkill)
Website: dutchessny.gov/Departments/County-Legislature/District-16.htm, yvettefordutchess.com; Facebook: @Yvette Valdés Smith; Instagram: @yvette4ny
Yvette Valdés Smith, the incumbent candidate for District 16, has been a public servant since 2021, and lives with her family in Fishkill.
She was a public school teacher before becoming an elected official.
As legislator, she serves as minority leader, is on all Dutchess County Legislative Committees, and is on the county’s Housing Trust Fund Advisory Board, to increase affordable housing.
“Working across the aisle and finding what connects us is central to how I work at the County Legislature to get the job done and deliver for our neighbors,” Valdés Smith said.
She has supported decreasing the county property tax rate, expanding mental health services, and sponsored the REV250 grant funding and sales tax cut.
If elected, her goal is to improve quality of life by addressing the affordability crisis, expanding housing opportunities and transportation, and ensuring tax dollars are used to benefit residents.
District 17
Dutchess County Legislature District 17 represents the Town and Village of Fishkill.
Doug McHoul (Republican, Conservative)
Website: dutchessny.gov/Departments/County-Legislature/District-17.htm; Facebook: @Doug McHoul
Doug McHoul, the incumbent and unopposed candidate, did not respond to request for comment.
According to the county website, McHoul is the chair of the Government Services and Administration Committee, the vice chair of the Family and Human Services Committee and on the Family and Human Services Subcommittee to Interview Candidates.
He is also a member of the Budget, Finance and Personnel Committee, the Board of Health and the District 3 Fish and Wildlife Management Board.
District 18
Dutchess County Legislature District 18 represents Beacon and Fishkill.
Molly Rhodes (Democratic, Working Families)
Website: molly4dutchess.com; Instagram: @molly4dutchess
Molly Rhodes is running unopposed in the district race.
Rhodes has been a City of Beacon Councilmember since 2022 and has spent her career as a nonprofit operations professional, working at Teach for America for the past 11 years.
One of her top issues is affordability, and her goal is to be an advocate for affordable housing, jobs that pay a livable wage and area businesses.
Another priority for Rhodes is public transportation and alternative ways to travel, such as increased busing, walkability, biking opportunities and the proposed Beacon-Hopewell Rail Trail.
If elected, her goal is to make the work done by the county more transparent and accessible, so people are aware of the services and support available to them, along with the decisions being made.
District 19
Dutchess County Legislature District 19 represents Stanford, Pine Plains, Milan, Red Hook, North East and Village of Millerton.
Chris Drago (Democratic, Working Families)
Website: dutchessny.gov/Departments/County-Legislature/District-19.htm, drago4dutchess.com; Facebook: @Chris Drago; Instagram: @drago4dutchess
Incumbent Chris Drago currently serves on the Public Safety as well as the Family and Human Services committees, working as a liaison to the Cornell Cooperative Extension.
Since being in office, Drago said his top priorities have been the county’s fiscal responsibility, improving EMS and mental health services, along with ensuring county resources address community needs.
He’s also pushed for grants to expand housing options for northern Dutchess County families, and said he’d continue work to increase the county’s housing stock if elected.
To Drago, the biggest challenges the area faces are EMS coverage, mental health, housing affordability and the high cost of living, but also highlighted his goal to prepare the county to withstand federal cuts without losing critical services.
“My goals are simple: make local government responsive, protect taxpayer dollars and deliver solutions that improve life here in Dutchess,” Drago said.
Tonya Pulver (Republican, Conservative)
Facebook: @Tonya Pulver For Dutchess 19
Tonya Pulver, a lifelong Pine Plains resident, has worked in the Millbrook Central School District since 1996 and is currently the school psychologist at Alden Place Elementary School.
Pulver, a volunteer for multiple local organizations, said those experiences have shown her the importance of community and the need to ensure there’s a Dutchess County Government working for everyone.
After canvassing District 19 constituents, she feels EMS and affordability are the two greatest concerns within the area.
“In calling constituents, I am hearing that young families cannot afford to move or build here, taxes are forcing people out of their homes, and the emergency services situation needs a multifaceted approach,” Pulver said.
She said money alone won’t solve the EMS situation, but if elected, she’d work to bolster volunteers, training and education of new EMTs as well.
Her goal would be to ensure she listens to constituents and makes costs more affordable.
District 20
Dutchess County Legislature District 20 represents Red Hook, Tivoli and Rhinebeck.
Mark Maroney (Republican, Conservative)
Email: mgmaroney005@gmail.com
Mark Maroney, a recently retired FBI agent of 24 years, decided to give back to his community by running for office with his criminal justice and legal background.
In the community, he previously served on the Red Hook Central School District’s Board of Education from 2021-2024.
He said Dutchess County is losing residents and businesses who are moving out of state, to have a lower cost of living, taxes and less government regulations.
If elected, Maroney wants to be a unifier. He believes it’s not “healthy” to have a divided county or state, and said it’s necessary for people’s opinions to be heard equally and respectfully.
“I feel it is very important to have dialogues with people that may not agree with your politics or ideas,” Maroney said. “I want to stress on what our common goals are; we have more in common than most people think.”
Kristofer Munn (Democratic, Working Families)
Website: dutchessny.gov/Departments/County-Legislature/District-20.htm, munnfordutchess.com; Facebook: @Kristofer Munn for County Legislator, District 20; Instagram: @munnfordutchess
Kristofer Munn has served as a legislator since taking office in January 2018.
To Munn, the cost of living and the mental health crisis are the most pressing issues in the area.
On housing, supports further development in the villages of Red Hook and Rhinebeck to increase inventory, while easing the pressure for increased rental prices.
Regarding mental health, he understands it’s difficult for those in the northwest portions of the county to get help and will continue to push for more services more locally and county-wide.
If elected to office, Munn emphasized his priority to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and stop wasteful spending as well as unnecessary tax increases.
Furthermore, he noted his vision for the county to adopt a free bus service, to increase ridership and convenience, and regarding improvements to EMS services, develop a comprehensive regional solution to ambulance response times.
District 21
Dutchess County Legislature District 21 represents East Fishkill.
Stephen M. Caswell (Republican, Conservative)
Website: dutchessny.gov/Departments/County-Legislature/District-21.htm; Facebook: @Steve Caswell for Dutchess County Legislature
Stephen Caswell, a resident of East Fishkill for 39 years, has been a legislator for three terms.
In the community, he volunteers with several non-profit organizations, and is retired from IBM.
With a 40-year career in accounting and finance, he said he has used his experience to advocate for a fiscally responsible government, growing the tax base and reducing county taxes.
Currently, Caswell serves as the chair of the Budget, Finance and Personnel Committee.
If elected, he aspires to expand services for children, seniors and veterans, while continuously listening to the needs of the people within his district and take action to make improvements.
He’ll continue to “closely scrutinize” the county budget, he said, to provide the needed services as cost-effectively as possible, and think about ways for continued smart growth and development, like the Town of East Fishkill’s iPark.
Eric Eckley (Democratic)
Facebook: @Eric Eckley; Instagram: @electeckley
Eric Eckley did not respond to request for comment.
District 22
Dutchess County Legislature District 22 represents Beekman and Union Vale.
Joseph Tresca (Republican)
Website: beekmanvoicesforchange.com; Facebook: @Joe Tresca for Dutchess County Legislature – District 22; Instagram: @tresca4dutchess
Joe Tresca built a small business with his wife while raising a family in Dutchess County. He also served as a Sept. 11 first responder and as a firefighter for 15 years with the Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department.
Top concerns for Tresca are affordability, infrastructure and supporting EMS and other essential services.
His goals are to improve quality of life, strengthen services and invest in the future of the community. In doing so, he emphasized the county’s need to engage in responsible spending, to avoid unnecessary tax increases and ensure Dutchess County is affordable.
If elected, he would work to increase the county’s responsiveness, from securing grants for municipalities to ensuring constituents are aware of opportunities available to them.
Tresca promised to listen to the residents he would serve and be active in the community through newsletters, updates at town board meetings and being present at District 22 events.
Heidi Tucci (Democrat, Working Families)
Website: heidi4dutchess.com; Facebook: @Heidi Tucci for Dutchess; Instagram: @heidi_tucci_for_dutchess
Heidi Tucci, a retired Dutchess County public school teacher, has been a resident of the county for 37 years and has volunteered with many local organizations along the way.
For Tucci, affordability, mental health and the environment are top priorities.
She highlighted the interconnectedness between affordability, particularly noting the struggles of adult children and seniors, the stress and mental health issues that may come about from being unable to afford housing, utility costs, taxes, and groceries.
Regarding the environment, she highlighted managing air, water and soil pollution with progressive initiatives to ensure the county “remains a healthy place for future generations,” she said.
If elected, Tucci emphasized work to make mental health services for readily available, reining in wasteful county spending, specifically for failed, delayed, unfinished or expensive projects, and being transparent and keeping in constant communication with residents through newsletters and in-person reports at town board meetings.
District 23
Dutchess County Legislature District 23 represents Pawling, Beekman and East Fishkill.
Chris Rolison (Republican, Conservative)
Website: dutchessny.gov/Departments/County-Legislature/District-23.htm; Facebook: @Chris Rolison Dutchess County Legislator
Chris Rolison, the incumbent candidate, previously was a Dutchess County Sheriff’s deputy, but today serves as a sergeant with the Town of New Castle Police Department. He is also vice chair of the Public Safety Committee.
Rolison said affordability remains a top priority for him, and in speaking with his constituents, he has determined public safety is a top priority for them.
He noted his support of previous investments in the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office and the Real Time Crime Center, to enhance safety and response capabilities countywide.
If elected, Rolison would strive to remain “accessible, accountable, and responsive,” he said, to residents’ concerns.
“Just as trust is essential in my work as a police officer, it is equally vital in my service as a County Legislator,” Rolison said.
District 24
Dutchess County Legislature District 24 represents Dover and Pawling.
Andrew J. House (Republican, Conservative)
Website: dutchessny.gov/Departments/County-Legislature/District-24.htm; Facebook: @Andrew House, Dutchess County Legislator District 24
Andrew House, the incumbent and unopposed candidate, did not respond to a request for comment.
According to the county website, House is the vice chair of the Government Services and Administration Committee, and is on the Government Services and Administration Subcommittee to Interview Candidates.
He is a member of the Environment Committee and on the Environment Subcommittee to Interview Candidates, as well as a member of the Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board and the Soil and Water Conservation Board.
District 25
Dutchess County Legislature District 25 represents Amenia, Washington, Pleasant Valley and Village of Millbrook.
Eric Alexander (Democratic)
Website: eric4dutchess25.com; Facebook: @Eric Alexander for Dutchess Legislature; Instagram: @eric4dutchess25
Eric Alexander served on the Town of Washington Planning Board since 2021, and was a legislative appointee to the Dutchess County Commission on Human Rights from 2022-2025.
Alexander said he has the insight to help build consensus around common ground and implement change, while also being equipped with the experience managing budgets the size of the county’s.
To Alexander, a countywide solution to EMS is necessary to reduce costs and more evenly allocate services, emphasizing private EMS services are costing too much to those within his district.
If elected, his goal is to bring a fair share of county support and services to the municipalities he would serve, such as restoring public transportation to Amenia.
Additionally, he noted his vision for responsible and balanced development that preserves the rural nature of communities while creating a range of new housing opportunities.
Deirdre A. Houston (Republican, Conservative)
Website: dutchessny.gov/Departments/County-Legislature/District-25.htm; Facebook: @Deirdre Houston – Dutchess County Legislator
Incumbent Deirdre Houston is completing her fourth two-year term as legislator.
The urgent challenges to Houston are the EMS crisis and creating a comprehensive and sustainable solution, along with affordable housing, particularly in the rural areas she has represented. She served on the review committee for the County’s Housing Trust Fund, recommending funding for a small-scale affordable housing project in Amenia.
“While it is only a beginning, every affordable unit that comes online makes a real difference for families in need,” she said.
Additionally, she advocates for critical infrastructure, such as water and sewer projects.
If elected, affordability will “remain at the heart” of her work, she said, supporting county budgets that reduce the tax rate, and finding ways to ease the burden on taxpayers.
Lastly, she highlighted, if elected, ensuring veterans receive services, expanded resources and access to support, and strengthening programs like the county’s “One Stop Shop.”
(This story has been updated to meet our standards. A photo and website link have also been added.)
Contact reporter Nickie Hayes: NHayes@poughkee.gennett.com, 845-863-3518 and @nickiehayess on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Meet the 2025 candidates for Dutchess County Legislature
Reporting by Nickie Hayes, Poughkeepsie Journal / Poughkeepsie Journal
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