2026 New York General Election

As a lifelong resident of the Town of Poughkeepsie and a proud graduate of Spackenkill Schools, I’m running for Dutchess County Legislature to represent the community where I grew up and am invested in.

Anna Shah for Dutchess — About

Over the years, I’ve been actively involved at every level of our community:

At the school level, as President of the Spackenkill PTSA and organizer of numerous local events.

At the county level, serving on the Dutchess County Equity Board and volunteering with the Dutchess County Medical Reserve Corps.

In the community, supporting causes like the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and animal rescue efforts.

Professionally, I bring over 20 years of experience as an attorney representing vulnerable individuals and families—standing beside people during some of their most challenging times.

Personally, I’m a devoted mother and animal advocate.

Anna Shah is from the Town of Poughkeepsie, where she grew up. She graduated from Spackenkill Schools. She is a mother and has volunteered with the Dutchess County Medical Reserve Corps.

Anna Shah is an attorney representing individuals and families.

Anna Shah (D)

District 5 (Map)

Representing the people in the Town of Poughkeepsie

Member of:
Government Services & Administration (Vice-Chair)
Family & Human Services
Environment

Dutchess County Legislature — District 5

Anna currently serves as the Dutchess County Legislator for District 5, representing the Town of Poughkeepsie.

Anna Shah (D) - Dutchess County Government

Anna is committed to strengthening public safety while advancing policies that promote affordability, stable neighborhoods, and long-term economic security for local families. She supports responsible budgeting and transparent government spending, with a focus on directing resources where they are most needed.

She is committed to securing funding for local Town police, particularly in the area of mental health response and crisis intervention, recognizing that effective public safety requires training, coordination, and appropriate services at the first responder level.

Anna Shah for Dutchess

The Budget Committee of the Dutchess County Legislature voted unanimously on Thursday to advance a resolution that would cap the County's sales tax on gasoline and highway diesel at $3.00 per gallon starting June 1st.

“Families across Dutchess County are already feeling the strain of rising fuel costs. Although we did not create this situation, we can take a step to relieve some pain at the pump. This measure is responsible, sustainable, and ensures we are not passing burdens created from the Middle East war off the backs of our constituents. Even modest savings at the pump make a real difference, and it is our responsibility to provide relief where we can,” said Legislator Anna Shah (D-Town of Poughkeepsie).

Dutchess County Legislature Advances Proposal for Tax Relief at the Pump

Supports responsible budgeting and transparent government spending focused on needed resources.

Supports capping the county sales tax on gasoline and highway diesel to provide fuel-cost relief.

- Supports responsible budgeting and transparent government spending focused on needed resources.
- Supports capping the county sales tax on gasoline and highway diesel to provide fuel-cost relief.

Economy

Issues:

Expand access to mental health care and community services — because everyone deserves the support they need to live with dignity and stability.

Promote health equity — ensuring quality care is accessible to all, regardless of income or background.

Anna Shah for Dutchess — Issues

Expand access to mental health care and community services — because everyone deserves the support they need to live with dignity and stability.

Promote health equity — ensuring quality care is accessible to all, regardless of income or background.

Make housing more affordable — so that every  person and family has a safe, stable place to call home.

At the Family and Human Services Committee meeting tonight, the Dutchess County Legislature passed a resolution increasing the reimbursement rate for providers of Preschool Special Education (PSE) Related Services by $20 per service. A total of 1,497 children are currently enrolled in PSE in Dutchess County, and there are still approximately 246 additional service placements needed, due to the shortage of qualified providers. The resolution passed out of committee unanimously.

“Early support changes lives,” states Legislator Anna Shah (D-Town of Poughkeepsie). “Increasing Section 4410 reimbursement rates will help ensure children receive critical services when they matter most, improving developmental outcomes, strengthening school readiness, and giving every child the best possible start.”

Dutchess County Legislative Committee Votes to Increase Pay for Preschool Special Ed Providers

Plans to expand access to mental health care and community services.

Supports making quality health care accessible regardless of income or background.

Supports increasing reimbursement rates for preschool special-education related services.

- Plans to expand access to mental health care and community services.
- Supports making quality health care accessible regardless of income or background.
- Supports increasing reimbursement rates for preschool special-education related services.

Public Services

Promote health equity — ensuring quality care is accessible to all, regardless of income or background.

Make housing more affordable — so that every  person and family has a safe, stable place to call home.

Protect our environment and preserve green spaces — for healthier communities today and a stronger future tomorrow.

She also supports thoughtful planning that promotes walkable neighborhoods, safe streets, and vibrant local business corridors, ensuring that District 5 remains a place where families, seniors, and young people can live, work, and thrive.

Supports planning that promotes walkable neighborhoods, safe streets, and local business corridors.

- Plans to make housing more affordable.
- Supports planning that promotes walkable neighborhoods, safe streets, and local business corridors.

Housing & Urban Development

She supports responsible budgeting and transparent government spending, with a focus on directing resources where they are most needed.

She is committed to securing funding for local Town police, particularly in the area of mental health response and crisis intervention, recognizing that effective public safety requires training, coordination, and appropriate services at the first responder level.

Is committed to securing town police funding for mental-health response and crisis intervention.

- Is committed to securing town police funding for mental-health response and crisis intervention.

Public Safety

Protect our environment and preserve green spaces — for healthier communities today and a stronger future tomorrow.

Invest in local infrastructure and public transportation — to connect our communities, make them more walkable and boost economic opportunity.

Prioritize smart spending and fiscal transparency — so every taxpayer dollar is used efficiently and responsibly.

Plans to invest in local infrastructure and public transportation.

- Plans to invest in local infrastructure and public transportation.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Make housing more affordable — so that every  person and family has a safe, stable place to call home.

Protect our environment and preserve green spaces — for healthier communities today and a stronger future tomorrow.

Invest in local infrastructure and public transportation — to connect our communities, make them more walkable and boost economic opportunity.

Legislator Anna Shah (D-Town of Poughkeepsie) said, “This is a simple, common-sense measure to protect the environment without burdening businesses. By moving to an ‘upon request’ model, we ensure customers receive what they want while reducing waste.”

The page describes a resolution passed by the Dutchess County Legislature to allow local food businesses to provide utensils, condiment packets, and other single-use items to customers only upon request.

Dutchess Legislature Votes Unanimously to “Skip the Stuff”

Plans to protect the environment and preserve green spaces.

Supports providing single-use food-service items only upon request to reduce waste.

- Plans to protect the environment and preserve green spaces.
- Supports providing single-use food-service items only upon request to reduce waste.

Energy & the Environment

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Anna Shah

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

Tony D'Aquanni earned an associate's degree in food services/hospitality from SUNY Westchester Community College.

Experience
Owner Money Mailer Franchise · 1992 to now
Legislator - District 5 Dutchess County · Now

Tony D'Aquanni for Dutchess County Legislature - Sway

Dutchess County Legislators – By District
Bob Gorman – Town of Poughkeepsie – district 1
Anne Burger – LaGrange, Pleasant Valley, Town of Poughkeepsie – district 2
Mike Polasek – LaGrange – district 3
Tony D’Aquanni – Town of Poughkeepsie – district 5
Lew Darrow – Hyde Park, Pleasant Valley – district 7
Aaron Scott – City of Poughkeepsie – district 9

Tony serves as the Dutchess County legislator for District 5, which includes the Town of Poughkeepsie.

County Legislature

As of October 26, 2026, Tony D'Aquanni did not have a website or any information online.

D'Aquanni also addressed the issue of affordable housing, stating, "We need to create more opportunities for affordable housing in Dutchess County. It's essential that we have a diverse range of housing options for our residents, especially for young families and seniors."

Advocates for more affordable and diverse housing options in Dutchess County, particularly for young families and seniors.

- Advocates for more affordable and diverse housing options in Dutchess County, particularly for young families and seniors.

In addition to education, D'Aquanni has expressed concerns about public safety. He commented, "As a community, we must prioritize the safety of our residents. I support measures that enhance our law enforcement capabilities while also ensuring that we are building trust within the community."

Supports measures that strengthen law enforcement capabilities and build community trust.

- Supports measures that strengthen law enforcement capabilities and build community trust.

Tony D'Aquanni

As of October 26, 2026, Tony D'Aquanni’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Dutchess County Legislator, District 5

Candidates (2)