2026 New York General Election

Eric Stewart

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Buket Urgen

He also serves on the BOD of the Rondout Valley Business Association, the Rondout Creek Watershed Alliance, and has been on the Board of Trustees for the Ulster County Historical Society for 2 years. He is originally from Albuquerque, NM, and grew up in Amarillo, TX.

Board of Trustees | Ulster County Historical Society

He is originally from Albuquerque, NM, and grew up in Amarillo, TX. He has a BA in journalism and public relations from Baylor University in TX, and received his MA in education and English from Hunter College, CUNY.

He is a former public relations professional and an inner-city public school teacher. He and his husband purchased a home in Accord in 1996. For many years, he owned and operated a landscaping company from his home and later sold real estate.

Eric Stewart is originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and grew up in Amarillo, Texas. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism and public relations from Baylor University and a master's degree in education and English from Hunter College, City University of New York. He and his husband purchased a home in Accord in 1996.

Board of Trustees - Ulster County Historical Society

He has a BA in journalism and public relations from Baylor University in TX, and received his MA in education and English from Hunter College, CUNY. He is a former public relations professional and an inner-city public school teacher.

He and his husband purchased a home in Accord in 1996. For many years, he owned and operated a landscaping company from his home and later sold real estate.

Eric previously worked as a public relations professional and an inner-city public school teacher. He owned and operated a landscaping company and later sold real estate.

The Ulster County Legislature's official legislator directory lists: Eric Stewart; District No.18 - Towns of Hurley, Marbletown; Chair: Health, Human Services and Human Rights.

Legislators | Ulster County Legislature

Stewart is a registered Democrat running unopposed for a fourth term on the county Legislature. A resident of Mary Davis Road in Marbletown, Stewart served on the Marbletown Town Board from 2018-2022.

Election 2026: Affordable and emergency housing among priorities for Ulster County Legislator Eric Stewart

Eric currently serves as an Ulster County legislator for District 18, representing the towns of Hurley and Marbletown. He previously served on the Marbletown Town Board from 2018 to 2022.

Eric Stewart - The Ulster County Legislature

Election 2026: Affordable and emergency housing among priorities ...

Voted against seeking state permission for an 18.75% income-tax surcharge, citing constituent opposition and potential effects on small businesses and business attraction.

Together, according to Stewart, the short-term-rental occupancy-tax increase and proposed transfer tax could generate revenue enough to reverse course on a planned income tax surcharge to be levied against the county's highest earners. Stewart was one of only four Democrats to vote against a resolution asking the state for permission to impose the 18.75% surcharge. “I voted NO on the home rule request based on the overwhelmingly negative response to it that I received from my constituents,” he stated in a Freeman questionnaire. “There is also a widespread belief that it would negatively affect small business owners and serve as a disincentive in attracting new businesses to the county.”

Economy

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

Public Services

Plans to sponsor higher occupancy taxes on short-term rentals, which he says would be paid by “deep-pocketed visitors.”

The District 18 representative said that, in the upcoming term, he will continue efforts to make it more affordable for residents to continue living in the county, including pushing for the county to become more involved in the housing market. He said he will sponsor legislation to increase the occupancy tax on short-term rentals, which, he said, would be paid by “deep-pocketed visitors.”

Plans to sponsor a real estate transfer tax on new home construction over $1 million, targeting luxury second homes.

He said he will sponsor legislation to increase the occupancy tax on short-term rentals, which, he said, would be paid by “deep-pocketed visitors.” He added that he also plans to sponsor legislation that would add a real estate transfer tax on new home construction of over $1 million, targeting luxury second homes.

Calls for reducing reliance on motels for emergency shelter and shifting to shelters run by not-for-profit organizations.

Stewart said dealing with the need for both affordable housing and improved conditions in emergency housing will be chief among his priorities in the upcoming legislative term. Stewart also said the county needs to take steps to lessen its reliance on motels for emergency shelters and move to shelters run by not-for-profit organizations.

Is working on legislation to exempt emergency-housing hotels from tenancy-rights requirements, aiming to end residents’ required moves every 30 days.

Stewart said in the upcoming term he would continue to focus on affordable housing and combating homelessness. He said he is working on legislation that would exempt the owners of hotels used for emergency housing from granting tenancy rights to those living in those facilities, which, he said, would eliminate the need for those living in the hotels from moving every 30 days.

Election 2025: Ulster Legislator Eric Stewart unopposed for third term

Housing & Urban Development

The proposed Baseline Standards for Law Enforcement Identifiability Law would establish countywide law-enforcement identification standards during public-facing operations. The legislation is co-sponsored by Legislature Chair Peter Criswell and Legislators Debra Clinton and Eric Stewart. “This legislation is about clarity and trust,” said Legislator Eric Stewart, Chair of the Health, Human Services and Human Rights Committee. “When officers are identifiable, interactions are safer, tensions are lower, and the public can be confident that those exercising authority are who they say they are. These are basic expectations in a healthy democracy, and I want to thank County Executive Metzger for introducing this legislation. I’m proud to support this measure.”

County Executive Jen Metzger Proposes Local Law to Establish Common-Sense Identification Standards for Law Enforcement

Supports countywide standards requiring law-enforcement officers to identify themselves during public-facing operations, saying identifiable officers make interactions safer and build public trust.

- Supports countywide standards requiring law-enforcement officers to identify themselves during public-facing operations, saying identifiable officers make interactions safer and build public trust.

Public Safety

Is sponsoring legislation to require bike and pedestrian lanes, when possible, in new bridge construction and bridge renovations.

Stewart said in the upcoming term he would continue to focus on trails and traffic/pedestrian safety. Stewart said he is also sponsoring legislation that requires the county to create a designated bike/pedestrian lane on new construction and renovations of bridges when possible.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Is working to protect the Esopus and Rondout creeks and increase public access to them.

A longtime environmental advocate and former landscaper, Stewart said he brings extensive knowledge in environmental and water protection to the Legislature. He said he is currently working on efforts to protect and increase public access to the Esopus and Roundout creeks.