2026 New York General Election

An Esopus resident, Geuss is a 2001 graduate of John A. Coleman Catholic High School.

Election 2026: Ulster County legislator Joseph Donaldson says housing crisis among priorities in next term

Jared Geuss is a resident of Esopus. He graduated from John A. Coleman Catholic High School in 2001.

Election 2026: Ulster Legislator Joseph Donaldson in rematch ...

He said he opposes the proposed Fair Taxes Act, which he said could deter growth and economic development.

“As soon as you start implementing more taxes, you’re going to push people away from our county that have the money to start to create more opportunity, more development and possibly employ more people if they do bring their businesses,” he said.

Geuss said his “talent, hard work, and ability to reach across the aisle on projects” will make him an effective county legislator.

He said the county should promote its centralized location to attract businesses and said the county should actively scout companies and offer tax incentives to make the county more attractive to economically sustainable businesses.

Election 2025: Incumbent Ulster legislator Donaldson faces Geuss in District 8

Opposes the proposed Fair Taxes Act, saying higher taxes could deter business investment, development, and employment in the county.

Thinks higher taxes could deter business investment, development, and employment in the county.

Advocates recruiting businesses and offering tax incentives to attract economically sustainable companies to the county.

- Thinks higher taxes could deter business investment, development, and employment in the county.
- Advocates recruiting businesses and offering tax incentives to attract economically sustainable companies to the county.

Economy

As of October 22, 2026, Jared Geuss did not have a website or any information online.

Public Services

If elected, Geuss added, he would focus on changing regulations that could clear the way for the quicker construction of housing and work to improve the county’s roads and bridges. He also said he would also make public safety a priority and would ensure that the Sheriff’s Office has the equipment and funding it needs to do its job.

Plans to change regulations to enable quicker housing construction.

- Plans to change regulations to enable quicker housing construction.

Housing & Urban Development

Geuss said he would also make sure the county fully funds the Sheriff’s Office and would work to keep open the lines of communication between the Sheriff’s Office and the county to make sure law enforcement officials have the resources they need.

Plans to ensure the Sheriff’s Office has the equipment, funding, and other resources it needs.

Seeks to ensure the Sheriff’s Office has the equipment, funding, and other resources it needs.

- Seeks to ensure the Sheriff’s Office has the equipment, funding, and other resources it needs.

Public Safety

He also said upgrading and repairing the county’s aging roads and bridges would be among his top priorities. Geuss said he would work with county engineers to prioritize those projects and with other county leaders to allocate funding for not only emergency work, but for capital projects with five-to-10 year outlooks.

Prioritizes upgrading and repairing aging county roads and bridges through emergency work and five- to 10-year capital planning.

- Prioritizes upgrading and repairing aging county roads and bridges through emergency work and five- to 10-year capital planning.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

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Jared Geuss

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

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

COUNTY LEGISLATOR — DISTRICT 8

A lifelong Ulster County resident, Joseph Donaldson has deep roots in the community. Born and educated in Kingston, he raised two sons who continue to call the city home.

2025 Elections

Donaldson is a Port Ewen resident and a 1974 graduate of Kingston High School who said he is running to “help make people’s lives better.”

Joseph Donaldson is a lifelong Ulster County resident who was born in Kingston. He graduated from Kingston High School in 1974. He lives in Port Ewen and has two sons.

2025 Election | Town Of Ulster Democratic Committee

COUNTY LEGISLATOR — DISTRICT 8

A lifelong Ulster County resident, Joseph Donaldson has deep roots in the community. Born and educated in Kingston, he raised two sons who continue to call the city home. For over 30 years, Joseph has worked at the Kingston Water Department, where he’s served as a trusted shop steward for two decades — advocating for his colleagues and ensuring fair representation.

Democrat Joseph Donaldson, 69, is running for a second term on the county Legislature. A dispatcher with the Kingston Water Department, Donaldson will hold the Democratic and Working Families lines on the November ballot.

Joseph Donaldson works as a dispatcher with the Kingston Water Department, where he has also served as a union representative.

Ulster County Legislators representing the Town of Ulster

Jason Kovacs
UC Legislator
District #3
Contact Jason

Michael Berardi
UC Legislator
District #4
Contact Michael

Joe Donaldson
UC Legislator
District #8
Contact Joe

Government | Town of Ulster

Ulster County November 4, 2025 General Election
Official Results

##### Ulster County Legislature District 8

8 of 8 reported

Joseph Donaldson

1342

54.78%

Jared Geuss

1107

45.18%

Ulster County Election Results - Official Results (November 4, 2025 General Election)

Now running for his second term in the Ulster County Legislature, Joseph brings that same passion to his legislative work. He currently serves on the Environment, Energy, and Sustainability Committee and the Public Works and Capital Projects Committee—two key bodies tackling some of the county’s most pressing challenges.

Joseph currently serves as an Ulster County legislator for District 8. He was elected to a second term in 2025.

Town of Ulster | Elected Officials | Town Government - NY.Gov

Calling small businesses “the future” of Ulster County, Donaldson said he would work to make it easier for companies to open businesses that will provide good-paying jobs.

Plans to make it easier for companies to open small businesses that provide good-paying jobs.

- Plans to make it easier for companies to open small businesses that provide good-paying jobs.

He also said he wants to continue to support SUNY Ulster “to make sure that we have a viable and functioning community college” prepared to train students for jobs and the future.

Election 2026: Ulster County Legislator Joseph Donaldson says housing crisis among priorities in next term

Plans to continue supporting SUNY Ulster as a community college that prepares students for jobs.

He cited housing affordability and availability as among his top concerns. He said the calculation used to determine who qualifies for workforce and low-income must be expanded and said he would encourage public and private partnerships to build more housing.

Donaldson, 70, said attracting housing of “all types,” including emergency housing for those in need, protecting the environment and improving the county’s roads and bridges will be key issues he will focus on in the next two years.

Calls for expanding the calculation used to determine eligibility for workforce and low-income housing.

Plans to prioritize all types of housing, including emergency housing, and encourage public-private partnerships to build more housing.

- Calls for expanding the calculation used to determine eligibility for workforce and low-income housing.
- Plans to prioritize all types of housing, including emergency housing, and encourage public-private partnerships to build more housing.

As of October 22, 2026, Joseph Donaldson did not have a website or any information online.

Plans to focus on improving Ulster County’s roads and bridges.

- Plans to focus on improving Ulster County’s roads and bridges.

Donaldson said he supports the Resource Recovery Agency’s planned reuse facility and its increased composting and recycling efforts. He also said he is concerned by what seems to be federal efforts to roll back water protections and said the county must protect the county’s waterways from pollution.

Now running for his second term in the Ulster County Legislature, Joseph brings that same passion to his legislative work. He currently serves on the Environment, Energy, and Sustainability Committee and the Public Works and Capital Projects Committee—two key bodies tackling some of the county’s most pressing challenges. From reimagining solid waste management and investing in vital infrastructure, to transitioning government buildings and fleets to clean energy, creating affordable housing, and supporting workforce development—Joseph is focused on building a stronger, more sustainable future for Ulster County.

Supports the Resource Recovery Agency’s planned reuse facility and expanded composting and recycling efforts.

Calls for Ulster County to protect its waterways from pollution.

Prioritizes transitioning government buildings and fleets to clean energy.

- Supports the Resource Recovery Agency’s planned reuse facility and expanded composting and recycling efforts.
- Calls for Ulster County to protect its waterways from pollution.
- Prioritizes transitioning government buildings and fleets to clean energy.

Joseph Donaldson

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

Supports a surcharge on the county income taxes paid by its highest earners if federal funding shifts.

Ulster County Legislator, District 8

Candidates (2)