About Tanner

Tanner McCracken is a lifelong Mahopac resident and proven fighter for taxpayers.

About Tanner

Tanner McCracken works as an aide to New York State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt. Dedicating his entire adult life to the Republican Party, Tanner has volunteered on campaigns to elect Republicans locally, in the Hudson Valley, and across the state. Tanner has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and Public Policy.

Press Release: Tanner McCracken Officially Launches Campaign for Putnam County Legislator

Tanner McCracken is a lifelong Mahopac resident. He has a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in public administration and public policy.

Tanner McCracken currently works as an aide to New York State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt.

Elected to the Mahopac School Board in 2020, Tanner quickly earned a reputation for standing up for families, demanding transparency, and holding the line on taxes. He has consistently fought for 0% tax levy budgets, delivered property tax relief for veterans, seniors, people with disabilities, and first responders, and pushed through reforms to give the public a stronger voice in school board meetings.

Mahopac Board of Education Trustee Tanner McCracken has defeated Town of Carmel Councilman Frank Lombardi to win the Republican nomination in the race to represent Putnam County Legislative District 8.

McCracken earned nearly 75 percent of the vote, according to unofficial results posted by the Putnam County Board of Elections on Tuesday evening.

McCracken defeats Lombardi in GOP primary for County Legislature - Mahopac News

Tanner currently serves as a Mahopac Board of Education trustee. He was elected to the board in 2020.

McCracken defeats Lombardi in GOP primary for County Legislature

2026 New York General Election

Supports the largest property-tax cut in Putnam County history.

Cut Property Taxes

Support the largest property tax cut in County history to deliver real relief to Mahopac residents

The McCracken Plan for Putnam

Proposes clawing back recent politician pay raises and blocking future increases.

Stop Politician Pay Raises

Claw back recent politician pay raises and block any future increases

Advocates for cutting unnecessary regulations and making infrastructure investments to attract businesses and support small businesses.

The candidate said economic development needs to be a priority. While other communities throughout the Hudson Valley have found ways to attract private investment, create jobs, and revitalize their downtowns, he said Mahopac has fallen behind.

“We need to roll up our sleeves and get serious about attracting businesses and investment to our community,” said McCracken. “That means cutting unnecessary red tape, making strategic infrastructure investments, and creating an environment where small businesses and entrepreneurs can thrive. We can encourage economic growth while preserving the character and charm that makes Mahopac so special.”

Burke & McCracken Battle for Legislative Dist. 8

As of October 28, 2026, Tanner McCracken’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Economy

Said he wrote and passed school-board policies to record and livestream every public and committee meeting.

Transparency was another cornerstone of his tenure, said McCracken.

“I wrote and passed policies that fundamentally changed how the school board operated, bringing meetings and important deliberations out from behind closed doors and into the public eye,” he said. “By the time I left office, every public meeting – including committee meetings – was recorded and live-streamed.”

Said he led an effort to make personal financial literacy a high-school graduation requirement.

McCracken said he’s proud that during his time on the Mahopac School Board he’s built a record of delivering results for students, parents, and taxpayers.

“I am particularly proud of leading the effort to make personal financial literacy a graduation requirement, ensuring that every Mahopac graduate leaves high school with the real-world skills to manage their money and build a financially secure future,” he said. “I helped deliver $7.5 million in school tax levy savings, including back-to-back budgets with 0 percent tax levy increases.”

Proposes recording every county meeting with high-definition video and audio and making public records easily accessible.

Real, Robust Transparency

High definition video and audio of every County meeting and make public records easily accessible

Public Services

Advocates for tax relief while investing in local services and infrastructure.

McCracken said the county’s reported fund balance represents years of over-taxation of the community. “Assessments have spiked, taxes have been hiked, and taxpayer dollars have been hoarded away,” he said. “I’m running to give taxpayers their money back in the form of meaningful tax relief, while making better investments in the services and infrastructure our community relies on.”

Housing & Urban Development

Wants officials to evaluate existing mental-health services before establishing a new crisis center.

While McCracken said he recognizes the importance of making sure those who are struggling with mental illness have access to the care and support they need – particularly among young, he would like to “pump the brakes” on establishing a new mental health crisis center in Putnam until leaders evaluate the resources already invested in.

“Putnam County spends millions of taxpayer dollars on mental health services and related programs, including local grants, Youth Bureau initiatives, and other community-based services,” he said. “We have a responsibility to evaluate existing programs, identify gaps in services, and determine whether there are better, more cost-effective ways to help people.”

Supported funding for school resource officers and securing school buildings.

✓ Backed Law Enforcement

and school safety, funded School Resource Officers (SROs) and secured school buildings

Tanner’s Record

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Calls for reviewing Putnam County's agricultural districting process and asking farmers what support they need.

McCracken said the county needs to support local farms and the families who operate them, and take a good, hard look at Putnam’s agricultural districting process.

“It’s been nearly 20 years since that process was implemented, and we should examine whether it still serves our farmers effectively,” he said. “Rather than politicians posturing about what they think is best for our farmers, we should be asking farmers what they actually need.”

Opposes electric-bus mandates and other statewide rules he describes as one-size-fits-all.

✓ Stood Up to Albany Mandates

Opposed COVID overreach, electric bus mandates, and one-size-fits-all rules

Energy & the Environment

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Tanner McCracken

- Proposes recording every county meeting with high-definition video and audio and making public records easily accessible.

- Supported funding for school resource officers and securing school buildings.

- Opposes electric-bus mandates and other statewide rules he describes as one-size-fits-all.