MAHOPAC – Republican Putnam County Legislature Chairwoman Amy Sayegh will not seek reelection next year. Sayegh, who has served as chairwoman of the Putnam County Legislature for just under a year, notified party leaders late Wednesday afternoon of her decision not to run again.
Sayegh could not be immediately reached for comment on Wednesday night. With the seat set to become open, Mahopac School Board Trustee Tanner McCracken has announced his candidacy. McCracken also serves as an aide to New York State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt.
McCracken, 26, gained attention last month when the Mahopac Central School District approved his personal financial literacy initiative, making it the first program of its kind adopted by a school district in the state. The initiative focuses on equipping students with practical skills such as budgeting, credit management, taxes, and long-term financial planning.
In announcing his campaign, McCracken struck an aggressive tone, framing the race as a choice between continuing conservative reform or reversing course.
“The Republican Party in Putnam County needs leaders who are willing to fight for the future, not manage the past,” McCracken said. “That means lower property taxes, real spending discipline, and delivering results for working families who are already stretched thin.”
McCracken is a staunch ally of Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne and complimented his record over the last three years.
“Kevin Byrne has delivered record property tax relief, real sales tax relief by sharing revenue with towns, and the most transparent county government Putnam has seen in decades,” McCracken said. “That didn’t happen by accident—it happened because someone was willing to challenge the status quo and say no to business as usual. The choice is simple—do we keep moving forward with conservative reform, or do we slide backward to higher property taxes, pay raises for politicians, corruption, and out-of-control spending? I’m not interested in going backward.”
No other candidates have announced campaigns for the seat.
Town of Carmel Councilman Frank Lombardi said in a Facebook post late Tuesday afternoon that he is considering a run.
“I am strongly contemplating running next year and will make a decision in the near future,” Lombardi wrote.
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