2026 New York General Election

Margaret Cunzio is currently serving her fifth term on the Board of Legislators, representing North Castle, Mount Pleasant, Pleasantville, Sleepy Hollow and parts of Harrison.

District 3 | Westchester County Board of Legislators

Margaret A. Cunzio currently serves her fifth term on the Westchester County Board of Legislators, representing North Castle, Mount Pleasant, Pleasantville, Sleepy Hollow and parts of Harrison.

Margaret A. Cunzio (Minority Leader)

County Executive Ken Jenkins and the Democratic majority say the roughly $2.5 billion 2026 county budget balanced fiscal responsibility with protecting essential services during a tough financial climate.

But Cunzio was one of four Westchester County legislators who voted against the budget on Dec. 8 of last year in a 13-4 vote. Nolan, the board’s sole Republican, Cunzio, a Conservative, and David Tubiolo and Tyrae Woodson-Samuels, both Democrats, all opposed the measure.

“It was tri-partisan that some of us did not vote for the budget because not only did it include a tax increase, but it included a cut not only to nonprofits, but an 8 percent cut to every department in the county,” Cunzio said.

Cunzio Campaigns for Final Term, Stresses Local Problem-Solving | The Examiner News

But that doesn't mean we shouldn't recognize their sacrifice—and make it easier for people to serve. That's why I championed legislation to expand property tax exemptions for volunteer emergency services personnel in Westchester County.

Expanding Property Tax Exemptions for Volunteer Emergency Services Personnel | Margaret Cunzio

The Solution:

In 2024, I supported legislation that made two critical changes:

1. Reduced Service Requirement: Lowered eligibility from five years to two years

2. Eliminated Geographic Restrictions: Allowed volunteers to qualify regardless of whether they serve in their municipality of residence

Voted against the 2026 county budget, citing its tax increase and cuts to nonprofits and county departments.

Championed legislation expanding property-tax exemptions for volunteer emergency-services personnel by reducing the service requirement and removing municipal residency restrictions.

- Voted against the 2026 county budget, citing its tax increase and cuts to nonprofits and county departments.
- Championed legislation expanding property-tax exemptions for volunteer emergency-services personnel by reducing the service requirement and removing municipal residency restrictions.

Economy

As of October 23, 2026, Margaret Cunzio’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Services

Housing & Urban Development

When firefighters respond to an emergency, they need the right equipment to protect themselves and save lives. As your representative on the Westchester County Board of Legislators—and as a volunteer firefighter myself—I've worked to ensure our local fire departments have the tools they need to serve our communities safely and effectively.

Six Fire Departments, Six Critical Equipment Upgrades

I'm proud to have assisted six volunteer fire departments in District 3 and the surrounding area in securing grants for essential equipment.

Supporting Volunteer Fire Departments: Equipment Grants | Margaret Cunzio

As a volunteer firefighter, I've witnessed firsthand the devastating fires caused by lithium-ion batteries. These aren't ordinary fires—they burn hotter, spread faster, and pose unique dangers to first responders and residents. That's why I championed legislation to address lithium-ion battery safety in Westchester County, helping to establish some of the nation's most comprehensive protections against battery-related fires.

Addressing an Emerging Threat: Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Legislation | Margaret Cunzio

In November 2023, the Westchester County Board of Legislators passed comprehensive lithium-ion battery safety legislation, which County Executive George Latimer signed into law. I supported this legislation and advocated for its passage, recognizing the urgent need to protect our communities.

Key Provisions: Product Standards:
Prohibits the sale, lease, or rental of devices and equipment unless they utilize properly graded, factory-installed batteries
Requires batteries to meet recognized safety standards (UL certification or equivalent)
Bans the sale of re-assembled, refurbished, or second-use batteries that don't meet safety standards
Prohibits sale of products with damaged or recalled batteries

Helped six volunteer fire departments secure grants for essential safety equipment.

Supported lithium-ion battery safety legislation requiring certified batteries and restricting sales of unsafe or recalled battery products.

- Helped six volunteer fire departments secure grants for essential safety equipment.
- Supported lithium-ion battery safety legislation requiring certified batteries and restricting sales of unsafe or recalled battery products.

Public Safety

Fighting for Safe Drinking Water

As your representative on the Westchester County Board of Legislators, I've worked closely with the Westchester Joint Water Works and the New York State Department of Health to secure this critical infrastructure investment for District 3.

This $1.1 million water line project for Quarry Heights is part of a comprehensive consent decree finalized in 2024 that addresses Safe Drinking Water Act violations and ensures our communities have access to clean, safe water.

Quarry Heights Water Infrastructure | Margaret Cunzio

As a county legislator, worked with water and state health agencies to secure a $1.1 million Quarry Heights water-line project.

- As a county legislator, worked with water and state health agencies to secure a $1.1 million Quarry Heights water-line project.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Launched public education campaigns on proper battery use, charging, and disposal
Advocated for Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) notification requirements so first responders know about installations before emergencies occur
"As a volunteer firefighter, I have witnessed firsthand the damage that these devices can cause. This legislation is a starting point to help protect lives and property."

Priorities | Margaret Cunzio for Westchester County Legislator

Advocates notification requirements for battery energy storage systems so first responders know about installations before emergencies.

- Advocates notification requirements for battery energy storage systems so first responders know about installations before emergencies.

Energy & the Environment

Facebook

Instagram

Margaret Cunzio

- Championed legislation expanding property-tax exemptions for volunteer emergency-services personnel by reducing the service requirement and removing municipal residency restrictions.

As of October 23, 2026, MARGARET A CUNZIO’s website did not contain information on this issue.

MARGARET A CUNZIO

Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

Raised in a family of teachers and educated at Notre Dame (B.A.) and Yale (Ph.D.), Michael believes democracy works best when public servants stay close to the people they represent. [...] With three children in and through public schools, Michael understands how a community is built around families and traditions, while welcoming newcomers.

Michael Peppard for Westchester County Legislator

Dr. Michael Peppard is a scholar and teacher whose primary work brings to light the meanings of the New Testament and other Christian materials in their social, political, artistic, and ritual contexts. A professor of theology at Fordham University, he received his Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Yale University, with prior degrees from Yale Divinity School, its Institute of Sacred Music, and the University of Notre Dame.

Michael Peppard | Fordham

Michael L. Peppard earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame and a Ph.D. in religious studies from Yale University. He has three children who have attended public schools.

Michael L. Peppard is a professor of theology at Fordham University.

Michael is a professor of theology at Fordham University.

Peppard said he made a point while a Pleasantville trustee of reaching out to Republican neighbors and friends to better understand their concerns. The one-term former trustee, who decided not to run for reelection in 2024, recalled arranging informal conversations where residents could speak candidly about issues.

Michael Peppard, Professor and Former Pleasantville Trustee, Challenging Cunzio for County Legislator | The Examiner News

Michael previously served one term as a Pleasantville trustee and decided not to run for reelection in 2024.

As your County Legislator, I’ll continue to direct our common funds toward the common good. I will hold the line on taxes, and make sure that our county’s prosperity is shared by all. We will continue to explore housing options where they make the most sense – especially for our seniors, so that you can stay in the county you love.

Plans to hold the line on taxes while directing county funds toward broadly shared prosperity.

- Plans to hold the line on taxes while directing county funds toward broadly shared prosperity.

In terms of Peppard’s priorities, he said supporting community-based organizations will be another focus. “I would want to prioritize those organizations, especially in Sleepy Hollow,” said Peppard, referring to the area of the district with the heaviest Hispanic population.

Plans to prioritize community-based organizations, especially in Sleepy Hollow.

- Plans to prioritize community-based organizations, especially in Sleepy Hollow.

“I believe that when you get all the stakeholders to the table and you talk about smart development and putting housing only where it makes the most sense, I think Westchester can really take the lead on that,” he stated in Friday’s wide-ranging phone interview.

Advocates for stakeholder discussions on smart development and housing in locations where they make the most sense.

Plans to explore housing options for seniors where they make the most sense.

- Advocates for stakeholder discussions on smart development and housing in locations where they make the most sense.
- Plans to explore housing options for seniors where they make the most sense.

During our county planning meetings, inclusivity also means a new crosswalk design that helps the dad in a wheelchair. It means mental health response teams that have the staff they need. It means someone on the other end of the emergency line who speaks your language, to summon life-saving intervention.

Supports adequately staffed mental-health response teams and language access for emergency callers.

- Supports adequately staffed mental-health response teams and language access for emergency callers.

As your County Legislator, I will continue to make life more mobile and connected for all. More space for our seniors with walkers, for moms with zig-zagging toddlers, for buses and cars and bikes and … whatever scooter they come up with next. You’ll know this part of your government is working well when you simply don’t have to think about it. So I’ll keep making it easier to get around – for you to connect with each other, from rails to trails.

Plans to make travel easier and more connected for pedestrians, transit riders, drivers, cyclists, and scooter riders.

Calls for crosswalk designs that improve accessibility for wheelchair users.

- Plans to make travel easier and more connected for pedestrians, transit riders, drivers, cyclists, and scooter riders.
- Calls for crosswalk designs that improve accessibility for wheelchair users.

As your County Legislator, I will protect our remaining natural landscapes, by pursuing smart development only where it makes the most sense and pushing for adaptive re-use of existing buildings. We can also make budget choices with sustainability in mind. In my town, this meant getting an electric lawnmower for the parks and building out our electric vehicle infrastructure. At the county level, we can really make a big difference: by enhancing flood mitigation, preserving watersheds, and weaning our local economies, one step at a time, off fossil fuels.

Westchester is blessed with abundant natural resources. The balance of bustling town centers surrounded by bucolic landscapes is what drew many of us to live here. We must vigorously protect our lands and water, while also building new climate resiliencies.

Plans to pursue smart development and repurposing existing buildings to protect remaining natural landscapes.

Calls for protecting land and water while building climate resilience.

Calls for reducing flood risks, preserving watersheds, and reducing local economies’ reliance on fossil fuels.

- Plans to pursue smart development and repurposing existing buildings to protect remaining natural landscapes.
- Calls for protecting land and water while building climate resilience.
- Calls for reducing flood risks, preserving watersheds, and reducing local economies’ reliance on fossil fuels.

Michael L. Peppard

- Plans to explore housing options for seniors where they make the most sense.

- Calls for protecting land and water while building climate resilience.
- Calls for reducing flood risks, preserving watersheds, and reducing local economies’ reliance on fossil fuels.

Westchester County Legislator, District 3

Candidates (2)