After 15 years of service on the Kingston City Court bench, Phil Kirschner is seeking reelection as City Court Judge. “It has been a profound honor to administer justice in the community where I was raised and to which I remain deeply committed,” said Kirschner. “I look forward to the opportunity to continue serving the City of Kingston with fairness, and respect for all who come before the Court.”

Abe Uchitelle serves as Majority Leader in the Ulster County Legislature representing Kingston’s District 5. As a champion for affordable housing, Abe spearheaded the creation of Ulster County’s first Housing Action Fund, securing $15 million for housing solutions and establishing the county’s first dedicated housing funding stream through the occupancy tax.

His landmark legislation established housing as a county purpose in 2023, enabling innovative programs like the Rental Affordability Upgrade Program and a comprehensive Eviction Defense Fund that provides both financial assistance and legal representation.

As Majority Leader, Abe has built a strong Democratic caucus that works effectively to advance progressive priorities while protecting important programs from partisan attacks. His collaborative approach demonstrates that local government can take meaningful action on issues that directly impact residents’ quality of life.

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.