Since January 2025, Russo has also served as a volunteer member of the board of directors of the Putnam County Housing Corporation. “This is a position I am proud to hold because I recognize the need for affordable and attainable housing in Putnam County – particularly for our senior citizens who are finding it increasingly difficult to afford to remain in New York,” he said.

Gilleo, Russo Seek to Represent Legislature Dist. 2

Christian J. Russo has served as a volunteer member of the board of directors of the Putnam County Housing Corporation since January 2025.

Conservative Party Makes Endorsements - Putnam County Press

CR
Christian J. Russo

Republican

BIOGRAPHY

Christian Russo is a local chiropractor who has served for five years as a member of his town's Town Board, per The Examiner News. No campaign website was found as of September 23, 2026.

Putnam County Legislator, District 2

As the owner of a local chiropractic business, Russo said he has experience managing a budget and determining the difference between a need and a want. “If the funding is not available and something cannot be accomplished in a financially responsible manner, I believe it should be delayed until the county is in a stronger financial position,” he said.

Christian J. Russo is a chiropractor and owns a chiropractic business.

Gilleo vs. Russo for Putnam County Legislator, District 2

### Christian Russo

Town Board
845.402.0480
crusso@putnamvalley.gov

Town Board - PV - Town of Putnam Valley

Christian J. Russo serves as a member of Putnam Valley's Town Board and has served on the board for five years.

2026 New York General Election

Said he helped bring grant-writing assistance to Putnam Valley, securing $7 million over four years to offset taxpayer costs.

The candidate said he is proud to have helped bring professional grant-writing assistance to the town, securing $7 million over a four-year period. “This helped offset costs that otherwise would have fallen on Putnam Valley taxpayers – particularly because our town has a very limited commercial tax base,” he said.

Believes county projects that cannot be completed responsibly with available funding should be delayed until the county is in a stronger financial position.

Supports maintaining county reserves to fund major projects without borrowing or raising taxes.

“If the county has a major project that needs to be completed, having sufficient reserves can allow the county to pay for that project without having to borrow money or raise taxes to finance it,” he explained. “Maintaining a responsible reserve is therefore important.”

Supports agricultural tax exemptions to help keep farmers from being priced out of their land by taxes.

Russo said he supports policies that allow agricultural operations to remain economically viable, including appropriate agricultural tax exemptions. “We need to make sure farmers are not priced out of their land by an ever-increasing tax burden,” he said.

As of October 28, 2026, Christian J. Russo’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Economy

Supports considering a dedicated mental-health crisis stabilization center while working with affected communities and local planning boards on its location.

Russo said he is open to considering a dedicated mental health crisis stabilization center, but the location must be appropriate and take into account the concerns of local residents and the local planning board. “As we saw with the proposed stabilization center in Carmel, the location generated significant controversy among residents and the project was unable to move forward at that site,” he said. “We need to recognize the importance of providing mental health services while also working collaboratively with the communities where these facilities are proposed.”

Public Services

Supports affordable and attainable housing in Putnam County, particularly for seniors seeking to remain in New York.

Said Putnam Valley enacted a short-term rental law requiring applicable rental properties to collect an occupancy tax for the town.

“We also enacted a short-term rental law that requires applicable short-term rentals to collect an occupancy tax, with that revenue coming back to the town,” said Russo. “These efforts, combined with responsible budgeting, helped Putnam Valley produce four consecutive budgets below the state-mandated property tax cap.”

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Advocates for on-demand public transit as an alternative to underused fixed bus routes, particularly for seniors and residents with disabilities.

Russo is also proud of his advocacy for public transportation on the western side of the county, including his efforts to bring the Putnam on Demand transit service to Putnam Valley. “It is a reliable and affordable form of transportation that is used as needed, as opposed to fixed bus routes which may have buses running that are being underutilized and would waste taxpayer dollars,” he said. “This will provide an important service for our senior citizens and residents with disabilities who may otherwise have difficulty getting to doctor appointments, grocery stores, work, or social activities.”

Transportation & Infrastructure

Supports preserving open space and Putnam County's agricultural character to support farming.

“We need to make sure farmers are not priced out of their land by an ever-increasing tax burden,” he said. “I would also support farming by helping preserve our open space and protecting the agricultural character of Putnam County.”

Energy & the Environment

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Christian J. Russo

- Believes county projects that cannot be completed responsibly with available funding should be delayed until the county is in a stronger financial position.
- Supports maintaining county reserves to fund major projects without borrowing or raising taxes.
- Supports agricultural tax exemptions to help keep farmers from being priced out of their land by taxes.

- Supports considering a dedicated mental-health crisis stabilization center while working with affected communities and local planning boards on its location.

- Supports affordable and attainable housing in Putnam County, particularly for seniors seeking to remain in New York.
- Said Putnam Valley enacted a short-term rental law requiring applicable rental properties to collect an occupancy tax for the town.

- Advocates for on-demand public transit as an alternative to underused fixed bus routes, particularly for seniors and residents with disabilities.

- Supports preserving open space and Putnam County's agricultural character to support farming.