Peter Criswell is currently serving his third term as an Ulster County Legislator, representing District 7 in the City of Kingston. Now in his second year as Chair of the Legislature, he previously served as Vice Chair and chaired the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Special Committee, where he led the equitable distribution of $34 million in federal funding, in response to the COVID pandemic. He additionally served as Deputy Chair of the Health & Human Services Committee.

Peter’s legislative priorities have focused on human rights, mental health, affordable housing, and championing the arts. In addition to his public service, Peter is a longtime nonprofit leader and currently serves as Executive Director of the Ulster County Historical Society.

He serves on the Board of Governors of Bard College, the Board of Directors of Key of Q (the LGBTQ+ and allied a cappella singers of the Hudson Valley) and served for six years on the City of Kingston's Arts Commission. Peter holds a B.A. from Bard College and an M.S. in Leadership and Strategic Management from Manhattanville University.