2026 New York General Election

Craig Lopez

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Buket Urgen

Craig Lopez is a lifelong resident of the Town of Shawangunk. He earned a bachelor's degree in marketing. He lives in Walker Valley with his wife and their twin boys.

Craig V. Lopez - The Ulster County Legislature

Craig currently serves as an Ulster County legislator for District 14, which includes the towns of Shawangunk and Wawarsing. He was first elected in 2012.

Lopez said holding the line on county spending will be among his top priorities in the upcoming legislative session, stating in a Freeman questionnaire that “County government must live within its means just as families and businesses do.”

Election 2026: Ulster County Legislator Craig Lopez will focus on spending in next term

In the upcoming term, he said, he would continue to advocate “for meaningful county property-tax relief, responsible budgets and disciplined spending.”

He said he would continue to push for transparent budgeting and stronger oversight and review of county programs.

He opposes the proposed Fair Taxes Act, which would levy an 18.75% surcharge on the income taxes paid by the county’s highest earners, saying the county should instead reexamine its spending priorities and look for ways to reduce the property tax burden.

“Before asking taxpayers for more money, county government should control spending, prioritize essential services and demonstrate that existing tax dollars are being used efficiently,” he stated.

“Before asking taxpayers for more money, county government should control spending, prioritize essential services and demonstrate that existing tax dollars are being used efficiently,” he stated.

“If a county income tax is ever seriously considered, I believe voters should have the final say through a public referendum,” he added.

Prioritizes holding county spending within its means.

Opposes the Fair Taxes Act's 18.75% income-tax surcharge on the county's highest earners, favoring spending controls and property-tax relief.

Believes voters should decide any proposed county income tax through a public referendum.

- Prioritizes holding county spending within its means.
- Opposes the Fair Taxes Act's 18.75% income-tax surcharge on the county's highest earners, favoring spending controls and property-tax relief.
- Believes voters should decide any proposed county income tax through a public referendum.

Economy

As of October 22, 2026, Craig Lopez’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Services

Lopez said he would also reintroduce a proposal for a $250 property-tax rebate for STAR-eligible homeowners. “With an unrestricted fund balance of more than $100 million, there is no reason to keep overtaxing residents while Albany and county government hoard surpluses,” he stated.

Election 2025: Ulster legislator Lopez faces challenge from Democrat Llovio in District 14

He said he would also oppose any “reckless plan” to cut in half the five-acre minimum zoning standards in the town of Warwasing, saying the idea is “designed to enrich New York City developers, not lower housing costs for hardworking local families,” would endanger wells and farmland and “open the door to suburban-style development that not only strains local roads and services, but drives prices higher with outside developers marketing to NYC commuters/weekenders ahead of local residents.”

Plans to reintroduce a $250 property-tax rebate for STAR-eligible homeowners.

Opposes a proposal to reduce the five-acre minimum zoning standard by half.

- Plans to reintroduce a $250 property-tax rebate for STAR-eligible homeowners.
- Opposes a proposal to reduce the five-acre minimum zoning standard by half.

Housing & Urban Development

Lopez said he would also work to strengthen the county’s emergency response systems to ensure county residents have the services they need when they need them.

“My vision for the next term is an Ulster County that is safer and more affordable without becoming bigger or more intrusive,” he stated. “That means strengthening core services, helping communities maintain reliable EMS and emergency response, protecting taxpayers and small businesses, and ensuring county government respects the constitutional rights of the people it serves.”

“There are no excuses for conditions like those that have been described,” said deputy minority leader Craig Lopez (R-Pine Bush), who serves as deputy chair of the health committee. “The deceased deserve dignity, their families deserve respect, and our employees deserve a safe and properly equipped workplace. Our responsibility now is to establish the facts, correct any deficiencies immediately, and make sure this does not happen again.”

GOP lawmakers demand probe into ‘appalling’ Ulster County morgue conditions

Plans to strengthen county emergency-response systems, including reliable emergency medical services.

Calls for establishing the facts and immediately correcting deficiencies in response to reported county morgue conditions.

- Plans to strengthen county emergency-response systems, including reliable emergency medical services.
- Calls for establishing the facts and immediately correcting deficiencies in response to reported county morgue conditions.

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Lopez opposes the 250-megawatt lithium-ion battery storage facility proposed for the town of Hurley, which Lopez said “poses serious risks of toxic emissions and fire,” that, he said, could put first responders in harm’s way and overwhelm our already stretched volunteer emergency services.

Opposes the proposed 250-megawatt lithium-ion battery-storage facility in Hurley, citing fire and toxic-emissions risks to first responders and volunteer emergency services.

- Opposes the proposed 250-megawatt lithium-ion battery-storage facility in Hurley, citing fire and toxic-emissions risks to first responders and volunteer emergency services.

Ulster County Legislator, District 14

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