Walls is deputy chairman of the Legislature’s Energy, Environment and Sustainability Committee. Additionally, he is a member of the Economic Development, Planning, Education, Employment, Arts and Agriculture Committee and the Law Enforcement and Public Safety Committee. He is also a member of the Christian Medical and Dental Association and the Lions Club.

Election 2025: Ulster legislator Walls faces challenge from Democrat Gelfand-Perine in District 13

Richard T. Walls is a member of the Christian Medical and Dental Association and the Lions Club.

Election 2025: Ulster Legislator Walls faces challenge from ...

A veteran police officer and deputy, Walls said public safety, tax relief and the expansion of the county’s rail trail network will be among his priorities in the upcoming year.

Richard T. Walls has worked as a police officer and deputy.

Richard T Walls

2nd Term
Jan 01, 2026 to Dec 31, 2026

Appointing Authority
Elected Official

Position
District 13

Ulster County, NY: Boards

Richard is serving his second term as an elected official representing District 13 in Ulster County.

Richard T. Walls - The Ulster County Legislature

Richard is a county legislator for Ulster County's District 13.

2026 New York General Election

Walls said the county should use some of the county’s fund balance to help reduce the property tax burden facing county residents. “Due to an ever increasing surplus of funds, the County should offer a 15 % property tax refund,” he wrote in a Freeman questionnaire. “This was defeated in this current session and I would raise the issue again if elected.”

Proposes a 15% county property-tax refund using surplus funds and would propose it again if elected.

Proposes a 15% county property-tax refund using surplus funds.

- Proposes a 15% county property-tax refund using surplus funds.

Economy

As of October 22, 2026, Richard T. Walls did not have a website or any information online.

Public Services

Housing & Urban Development

One county legislator doesn't support the measure. County Legislator Richard Walls (R- District 13) said $1.3 million can buy a lot of patrol cars. He said Putnam County is the only sheriff's office in the state employing the technology. “I believe it's more cost effective to train officers in enhanced report writing, as opposed to spending this kind of money on an AI product,” Walls said. “There are some benefits to the product. I just don't believe the benefits are worth the cost.”

Ulster County weighs AI law enforcement tool

Opposes the proposed artificial-intelligence policing product, favoring enhanced report-writing training for officers as a more cost-effective alternative.

- Opposes the proposed artificial-intelligence policing product, favoring enhanced report-writing training for officers as a more cost-effective alternative.

Public Safety

Calling the county’s rail trail network a tourism draw and “great asset for county residents,” Walls said he would like to see the trail network expanded. “Specifically, I would like to [get] a rail trail extension from the Town of Shawangunk to the town of Gardiner.”

Wants to extend the rail trail from the Town of Shawangunk to the Town of Gardiner.

- Wants to extend the rail trail from the Town of Shawangunk to the Town of Gardiner.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

Richard T. Walls

As of October 22, 2026, Richard T. Walls’s website did not contain information on this issue.