2026 New York General Election

He began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney with the Bronx District Attorney’s office before going into private practice. After spending nearly ten years as a civil litigator and legal consultant in New York City and the surrounding area, he opened his own law office in the bustling downtown area of Peekskill where he still practices today.

District 1 | Westchester County Board of Legislators

Colin D. Smith practices law at his own office in Peekskill. He previously worked as an assistant district attorney with the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, a civil litigator, and a legal consultant.

Colin D. Smith - Westchester County Board of Legislators

Peekskill needs policies that help existing small businesses succeed, attract responsible investment, create well-paying jobs, and prepare residents for those jobs. That means supporting workforce development, apprenticeships, childcare, transportation, and partnerships with educational institutions and employers. Economic growth should strengthen the community without displacing the people and businesses that made Peekskill what it is.

For County Legislator: Elena Muñiz-Walker vs. Colin Smith

Legislator Colin D. Smith said: “As Chair of the Board’s Committee on Legislation and co-author of this bill, I’m proud to stand with County Executive Jenkins and Legislator Imamura to announce the signing of the Consumer Protection Bill into law. This critical legislation enhances protections for Westchester residents and small businesses, addressing modern threats like AI-driven scams and misleading subscription practices. Our community deserves transparency and strong safeguards — and this new law provides exactly that by modernizing and reinforcing consumer rights to prevent abuse.”

County Executive Ken Jenkins Signs Legislation to Strengthen Consumer Protection Laws in Westchester

ACTIONS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Passed the Coronavirus Taxpayer Relief Act to provide much needed help for struggling homeowners during the height of the pandemic last year. This legislation waived or significantly reduced penalties that taxpayers would have owed for late payment of their taxes last year, which otherwise would have been due during some of the worst moments we faced as a community.

Actions & Accomplishments | Colin D. Smith

Supports workforce development, apprenticeships, childcare, transportation, and partnerships between educational institutions and employers.

Co-authored a consumer-protection law addressing artificial intelligence-driven scams and misleading subscription practices.

As a county legislator, passed the Coronavirus Taxpayer Relief Act, which waived or reduced late tax-payment penalties during the pandemic.

- Supports workforce development, apprenticeships, childcare, transportation, and partnerships between educational institutions and employers.
- Co-authored a consumer-protection law addressing artificial intelligence-driven scams and misleading subscription practices.
- As a county legislator, passed the Coronavirus Taxpayer Relief Act, which waived or reduced late tax-payment penalties during the pandemic.

Economy

On the Board of Legislators, I’ve focused on exactly that: securing funding for roads and drainage improvements, expanding youth and senior programs, supporting affordable housing, and strengthening consumer protections. My goals are to continue those efforts — investing in infrastructure and flood prevention, broadening access to mental-health and senior services, and ensuring county resources are used efficiently and fairly across northern Westchester.

Incumbent Smith (D) faces Byrnes (R) for District 1 seat

Plans to broaden access to mental-health and senior services across northern Westchester.

- Plans to broaden access to mental-health and senior services across northern Westchester.

Public Services

What do you see as the top three issues facing Peekskill, and what specific steps would you take to address them?
The first is affordability, particularly housing. Too many residents are being squeezed by rents, property taxes, utilities, insurance, childcare, and everyday expenses. I will continue supporting affordable and workforce housing, tenant protections, assistance for first-time homebuyers, and responsible tax policy. Through the County’s Affordability and Economic Development Task Force, I am also working to examine the broader forces affecting household costs rather than treating housing in isolation.

Supports affordable and workforce housing, tenant protections, first-time homebuyer assistance, and responsible tax policy.

- Supports affordable and workforce housing, tenant protections, first-time homebuyer assistance, and responsible tax policy.

Housing & Urban Development

As Public Safety Committee Chair, he’s leading legislative review of the Westchester Police Reform and Reimagining Task Force, to turn recommendations into reality, with input from both community advocates and police.

This effort, launched in response to last summer's protests over the death of George Floyd, has been a collaborative process to establish best practices for our local police departments and work with them to ensure they are using those practices.

As public safety committee chair, leads legislative review of police-reform task-force recommendations with input from community advocates and police.

- As public safety committee chair, leads legislative review of police-reform task-force recommendations with input from community advocates and police.

Public Safety

The second is infrastructure and environmental resilience. Peekskill has aging water, sewer, transportation, and public facilities that require sustained investment. I will continue to advocate for County, state, and federal funding, stronger intergovernmental coordination, and careful long-term planning. Environmental initiatives must protect public health, particularly where our drinking water and the Hudson River are concerned.

The town needs sustained investment in infrastructure, drainage, and broadband, as well as thoughtful development that keeps housing attainable and protects open space. I’ll continue working to direct county funding toward those priorities, partner with Yorktown officials to coordinate services, and make sure the county remains an active partner in addressing traffic, stormwater, and environmental concerns. My approach is straightforward — listen to residents, identify where the county can help, and follow through until the job is done.

Advocates for county, state, and federal funding, intergovernmental coordination, and long-term planning for infrastructure.

Plans to direct county funding toward infrastructure, drainage, and broadband while coordinating on traffic and stormwater concerns.

- Advocates for county, state, and federal funding, intergovernmental coordination, and long-term planning for infrastructure.
- Plans to direct county funding toward infrastructure, drainage, and broadband while coordinating on traffic and stormwater concerns.

Transportation & Infrastructure

What are your thoughts on the proposed floating solar array at Peekskill’s Camp Field Reservoir, put forward by Ecological Citizens Project and Working Power LLC? What factors would you consider in deciding whether to support the proposal?
I support expanding renewable energy and directing its benefits toward Peekskill residents, particularly lower-income households. The proposed project presents potentially meaningful benefits, including clean-energy generation, community participation, reduced electricity costs, and revenue for the City.

At the same time, Camp Field Reservoir is part of Peekskill’s drinking-water system. Protecting the safety and reliability of that system must be the first consideration. I would not support moving forward until the environmental review provides satisfactory answers regarding water quality, the materials used in the system, construction and maintenance risks, fire and severe-weather response, long-term monitoring, insurance and financial responsibility, system removal, and contingency plans if the reservoir becomes temporarily unusable.

Supports expanding renewable energy and directing its benefits toward Peekskill residents, particularly lower-income households.

Would not support the Camp Field Reservoir solar project without environmental-review answers about drinking-water safety, system risks, and financial responsibility.

- Supports expanding renewable energy and directing its benefits toward Peekskill residents, particularly lower-income households.
- Would not support the Camp Field Reservoir solar project without environmental-review answers about drinking-water safety, system risks, and financial responsibility.

Energy & the Environment

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Colin D. Smith

- As a county legislator, passed the Coronavirus Taxpayer Relief Act, which waived or reduced late tax-payment penalties during the pandemic.

COLIN D SMITH

Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

Supports expanding affordable housing in Westchester, particularly in cities.

Elena Muniz-Walker
Republican Challenger Elena Muniz-Walker. (Supplied) Elena Muniz-Walker, 66, has been a Peekskill resident for 38 years. Born in New York City, she spent much of her childhood and adult life between New York City and Puerto Rico. She retired in 2013 after a career as Director of Product Development Engineering for an international manufacturing company.

For County Legislator: Elena Muniz-Walker vs. Colin Smith

Elena Muñiz-Walker is originally from New York City. She has been a resident of Peekskill for 38 years.

For County Legislator, Elena Muniz-Walker vs Colin Smith

Elena Muniz-Walker has lived in Peekskill for 38 years. She retired in December 2013 as director of product development engineering for an international manufacturer after a 34-year career spanning design, production, purchasing, training and budget analysis.

Incumbent Colin Smith Faces Elena Muniz-Walker in District 1 Westchester County

Elena retired as director of product development engineering for an international manufacturer after a career spanning design, production, purchasing, training, and budget analysis.

Colin Smith and Elena Muniz-Walker face off in Westchester County ...

Elena Muniz-Walker (R) seeks to unseat Colin Smith to represent District 1 on the Westchester County Board of Legislators, which encompasses Peekskill, Cortlandt, and parts of Yorktown. The Peekskill resident is seeking her first elected government position after an unsuccessful bid for Common Council in 2025.

Elena previously ran for Common Council in 2025 but did not win.

Why do you want to serve as county legislator, and what do you see as the role of a county legislator?
I want to serve as county legislator because we need some commonsense balance to work to end the waste of tax dollars. Legislators are involved in the $2.5 billion budget covering DSS, Medicaid, Section8, Parks, DPW, and county police. This requires a balanced approach to controlling increases in property taxes and sales tax without diminishing services or jeopardizing the safety. A legislator should strongly advocate for the communities they represent and work with local representatives to assist in bringing back to the communities aid or programs to better serve their constituents.

I would work with the city, County, State and federal governments to secure funding and ensure development strengthens infrastructure and provides measurable benefits to the community and tax base. Affordability is also a growing concern. Property taxes, utility costs and the overall cost of living pressure working families, seniors and longtime residents. I would advocate for fiscal discipline and responsible spending while protecting essential services. Finally, public safety must remain a priority. I would support our police, fire and emergency services while addressing traffic safety, pedestrian concerns and quality-of-life issues.

Advocates for fiscal discipline, responsible spending, and limiting property and sales tax increases while protecting essential services and public safety.

- Advocates for fiscal discipline, responsible spending, and limiting property and sales tax increases while protecting essential services and public safety.

I want to serve as county legislator because we need some commonsense balance to work to end the waste of tax dollars. Legislators are involved in the $2.5 billion budget covering DSS, Medicaid, Section8, Parks, DPW, and county police. This requires a balanced approach to controlling increases in property taxes and sales tax without diminishing services or jeopardizing the safety. A legislator should strongly advocate for the communities they represent and work with local representatives to assist in bringing back to the communities aid or programs to better serve their constituents.

Said county legislators should work with local representatives to bring aid and programs to their communities.

- Said county legislators should work with local representatives to bring aid and programs to their communities.

The three biggest issues facing Peekskill are infrastructure and responsible development, affordability and taxes, and public safety. Peekskill has experienced significant housing and commercial development, but too many businesses are closing, and too many apartments remain unrented. Growth must be matched with demand, investment in drinking water, stormwater and flood mitigation, roads, transportation and pedestrian safety. I would work with the city, County, State and federal governments to secure funding and ensure development strengthens infrastructure and provides measurable benefits to the community and tax base. Affordability is also a growing concern. Property taxes, utility costs and the overall cost of living pressure working families, seniors and longtime residents. I would advocate for fiscal discipline and responsible spending while protecting essential services. Finally, public safety must remain a priority. I would support our police, fire and emergency services while addressing traffic safety, pedestrian concerns and quality-of-life issues.

Calls for development to be matched by demand and investment in water, flood mitigation, roads, transportation, and pedestrian safety.

- Calls for development to be matched by demand and investment in water, flood mitigation, roads, transportation, and pedestrian safety.

Finally, public safety must remain a priority. I would support our police, fire and emergency services while addressing traffic safety, pedestrian concerns and quality-of-life issues.

If elected, what will be your top priorities over the next year? In addition to goals stated, [my] top priorities would be to collaborate with the legislators to evaluate safer alternatives to renewable energy that does not involve our reservoirs or deforestation of green open spaces. Work on a reasonable and fair contract for county police officers. Finally work towards an agreement for an equitable retirement for our probation officers.

Supports police, fire, and emergency services while addressing traffic safety, pedestrian concerns, and quality-of-life issues.

Plans to pursue a fair county police contract and equitable retirement agreement for probation officers.

- Supports police, fire, and emergency services while addressing traffic safety, pedestrian concerns, and quality-of-life issues.
- Plans to pursue a fair county police contract and equitable retirement agreement for probation officers.

Growth must be matched with demand, investment in drinking water, stormwater and flood mitigation, roads, transportation and pedestrian safety. I would work with the city, County, State and federal governments to secure funding and ensure development strengthens infrastructure and provides measurable benefits to the community and tax base. Affordability is also a growing concern. Property taxes, utility costs and the overall cost of living pressure working families, seniors and longtime residents. I would advocate for fiscal discipline and responsible spending while protecting essential services.

Plans to work across city, county, state, and federal governments to secure funding for development that strengthens infrastructure.

- Plans to work across city, county, state, and federal governments to secure funding for development that strengthens infrastructure.

What are your thoughts on the proposed floating solar array at Peekskill’s Camp Field Reservoir, put forward by Ecological Citizens Project and Working Power LLC? What factors would you consider in deciding whether to support the proposal?
I have followed this proposal since it was first presented to the City Planning Department and was among the first to bring it to the attention of my neighbors. I am not opposed to alternative energy, but I am opposed to this project. The Camp Field Reservoir is a critical source of drinking water for Peekskill and Buchanan residents, and I would do nothing that risks the health and safety of our residents.

Our water infrastructure has received a piecemeal approach to maintenance for many years. Before considering any project that could affect our drinking-water supply, we need a comprehensive evaluation of our watermains, reservoir maintenance, treatment systems and long-term reliability. Given Peekskill’s exposure to severe storms, flooding and winter weather, I do not believe placing a solar array on a drinking-water reservoir is an appropriate risk. We should pursue alternative energy projects that do not put our drinking-water supply at risk.

Opposes a solar array on Peekskill's Camp Field Reservoir and supports alternative energy projects that do not risk drinking-water supplies.

- Opposes a solar array on Peekskill's Camp Field Reservoir and supports alternative energy projects that do not risk drinking-water supplies.

Elena Muñiz-Walker

ELENA MUÑIZ-WALKER

As of October 23, 2026, ELENA MUÑIZ-WALKER’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Westchester County Legislator, District 1

Candidates (2)