The Westchester County Republican Committee nominated Rye resident Kurt van Kuller as their pick for the Westchester Board of Legislators’ 7th District.
Van Kuller will face off against Anant Nambiar, the Rye City Democratic Committee’s nominee, to replace outgoing lawmaker Catherine Parker.
“I am honored and excited by the opportunity to devote 100% of my time to being an energetic advocate for my home District,” van Kuller said when accepting his nomination. “We have had the same representation in White Plains for the last 11 years. The taxpayers of Rye, Harrison and Mamaroneck deserve a real change and more effective leadership.”
With more than 40 years in municipal and housing finance, van Kuller oversaw local government credit approvals at a global bank and guided institutional investments into hundreds of public projects. He also authored numerous reports on local government and housing issues, offering testimony and counsel to public officials.
If elected, van Kuller said he’ll will work to restore fiscal discipline in the Westchester County Legislature by cutting unnecessary spending and reducing the tax burden on residents. He calls out county leaders for pledging tax relief while continuing to raise sales and real estate transfer taxes, leaving 7th District homeowners with some of the highest property taxes in the country.
Van Kuller also plans to tackle environmental, infrastructure, and quality-of-life issues across the district. He supports improving water quality in the Long Island Sound, expanding recreational space for children, and promoting smart commercial development that strengthens local communities. In addition, he intends to be actively involved in shaping the future of Playland and will advocate for relief from rising electric and gas rates.
Similar to his Democratic opponent, a top priority for van Kuller is addressing the county’s failure to implement meaningful flood mitigation, especially in areas like Mamaroneck and Rye where residents remain at serious risk.
“Whenever a heavy rain comes, residents in much of Mamaroneck and parts of Rye fear for the safety of their
homes and family. We remain at high – indeed increasing risk – of more natural disasters,” van Kuller said. “I have to
ask – how much real flood prevention has the county delivered? I am eager to partner with local representatives interested in finding solutions to the flooding right now.”
Van Kuller has lived in Rye for more than 20 years, sending two adults sons through the Rye City School system.
Previously, he served as the chairman of the Municipal Analysts Group of New York, as treasurer and board member of the Municipal Forum of New York, and a board member of the National Federation of Municipal Analysts. He was appointed to the National Housing Policy Advisory Panel by former New York Sen. Al D’Amato.
District 7 includes all of Rye, Mamaroneck, and Larchmont, as well as parts of New Rochelle and Harrison, with more than 43,000 voters.
The election is Tuesday, Nov. 4.
