The Westchester County Republican Committee has selected Kurt van Kulleras their candidate for the Westchester County Legislature representing the 7th District in the November election. In accepting his nomination Mr. van Kuller offered “I am honored and excited by the opportunity to devote 100% of my time to being an energetic advocate for my home District. 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.”
Kurt van Kuller brings a track record of over 40 years in Municipal Finance and housing finance. As head of a prominent municipal bond research team onWall Street, he won many top industry awards. He also was responsible for all local government credit approvals at a
global bank and directed investments by leading institutions into hundreds of municipal projects. In these roles, he was a prolific author of reports and texts on all manner of issues affecting local governments and housing, providing government testimony and counsel.
If elected, Mr. van Kuller will devote his skills and professionalism to focusing the County Legislature on sound fiscal management. Kurt will be undeterred in his fight to reduce unnecessary spending and reducing the tax burden for District residents. Westchester County homeowners – especially in District 7 – continue to pay the highest property taxes in the nation. Taxpayers are fed up with empty statements from County Leaders about holding the line on property taxes while raising sales taxes and imposing some of the highest mortgage/real estate transfer taxes in the U.S.
In addition to returning fiscal discipline to County government, Kurt will bring a laser-like focus to reverse the shameful lack of progress on flood mitigation, a critical issue for this District. “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. 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” added van Kuller.
Kurt believes strongly in preserving our local environment and quality of life, improving L.I. Sound water quality, increasing recreational space for our children, and enhancing smart commercial development. Kurt will be involved in determining the future of Playland. He is also strongly opposed to outrageous electric and gas charges impacting our communities.
A resident of Rye, Mr. van Kuller has had a long relationship with the Sound Shore, going back more than 20 years. He and his wife of 37 years Diana raised their two adult sons in Rye through the Rye school system. Kurt is a regular volunteer at Resurrection Church in Rye and a member / donor for a wide array of local charitable and historical organizations. Professionally, he served in a variety of industry-related governance organizations including past Chairman of the Municipal Analysts Group of NY; past Treasurer and Board Member of the Municipal Forum of NY; past Board Member of the National Federation of Municipal Analysts. He was appointed to the National Housing Policy Advisory Panel by Al D’Amato, former senator from NY.
Mr. van Kuller earned both a B.A in Economics and MBA from the State University of New York at Albany. He is a Charted Financial Analyst (CFA). The election for the 7th Legislative district will be held on Tuesday, November 4th . The 7th Legislative District includes the City of Rye, the Village and Town of Mamaroneck, Larchmont and sections of the Town of Harrison. The District includes over 43,000 voters.
