Peter Criswell elected chair of Ulster County Legislature; pledges steady stewardship

Peter Criswell was elected chair of the Ulster County Legislature during the body's Jan. 6, 2026 organizational meeting in Kingston.

Legislator Sperry nominated Criswell for chair, and Legislator Levine seconded the nomination. Minority Leader Kevin Roberts was nominated by Legislator Lopez and seconded by Legislator Kovacs. After a roll-call vote, Criswell won by a vote of 19 to 4; the transcript lists the 19 legislators who voted for Criswell and the four who voted for Roberts.

Criswell delivered an acceptance speech in which he underscored the legal oath legislators took to uphold the U.S. and New York constitutions and the Ulster County Charter. He said the job of chair is "to keep the work moving, to support each of you in your individual efforts, and to help align the many moving pieces so that this Legislature can function as a professional, thoughtful, and unified body."

He noted that 2026 brings shorter, one-year terms for legislators and said that operating under tighter timelines makes consistency, stability and a steady hand more important. Criswell emphasized his intent to maintain decorum and work across party lines, saying his priority is ensuring every legislator "feels heard, respected, and supported."

The election followed an oath-of-office ceremony administered earlier in the meeting by New York State Supreme Court Justice David M. Gandin. The organizational meeting also handled routine business including committee designations and resolutions adopting the Legislature's rules.

The Legislature set its next regular meeting for Feb. 17, 2026 at 7:00 PM. The organizational meeting adjourned at 7:05 PM.