Mayor Harter’s Legislative Bid Raises Concerns Over Ethics, Transparency, and Double-Dipping

By Kat Leslie

As the Orange County Legislature prepares for a pivotal election year in 2025, all eyes are on potential candidates vying for key seats. Among them is Florida Mayor Daniel Harter, who has solicited political support from the Warwick Republican Committee to run for a district encompassing Florida and Goshen. This seat is reportedly being vacated by retiring legislator Jimmy O’Donnell, but Harter’s possible candidacy has already sparked significant controversy.

Florida Mayor Daniel Harter Jr. has launched a controversial bid for a seat in the Orange County Legislature, raising serious concerns about the ethics and transparency of Warwick’s political representation. Critics argue this not only undermines public trust but also represents a broader pattern of questionable governance in Warwick politics.

If successful, Harter would become the second Warwick legislator to hold not one, but multiple paid elected positions, following in the footsteps of Barry Cheney, the Deputy Mayor and a Village Trustee of the Village of Warwick. The practice, often criticized as “double-dipping,” raises ethical questions about prioritizing public service over personal financial gain and raising serious questions about conflicts of interest.

A Troubling Track Record

Harter’s current term as mayor of Florida has been marred by a litany of controversies^{(1)(2)(3)(4)(5)}. In a decision rendered by Supreme Court Judge Timothy P. McElduff Jr. in July 2024, Harter was deemed to have acted “arbitrarily, capriciously, and without any legal basis”⁽⁵⁾ when he unilaterally removed emergency-only access restrictions on Ferris and Kyle Drive in the Village of Florida.

The court’s ruling was clear: Harter’s actions were unlawful, and the emergency-only restrictions were to be reinstated ⁽⁶⁾. Attorney Dennis Lynch, representing the plaintiffs, emphasized the gravity of the situation: “Being elected a Village Mayor does not mean being selected as the Village Dictator.”

Despite the court’s orders, Harter attempted to sidestep the decision by orchestrating a vote during a hastily arranged meeting. This move, which violated New York’s Open Meetings Law⁽⁶⁾, was swiftly condemned by legal experts, including Christen Smith from the NYS Committee on Open Government, who condemned it as “illegal.”

In the end Harter’s actions, in addition to being a violation of the law, came at an immense expense to taxpayers in Florida who foot the bill for tens of thousands of dollars of legal bills defending his indefensible actions ⁽²⁾⁽⁶⁾.

Harter’s record extends beyond legal misconduct. Accusations of extramarital affairs, cohabitating with a board member who voted to allocate village funds for his legal defense, and employing multiple family members under his direct supervision as municipal employees have further eroded public confidence in his ability to lead ethically⁽³⁾⁽⁵⁾. Critics argue that Harter’s actions prioritize personal gain over public service, raising alarm about the potential consequences of expanding his service to a legislative role.

The Cheney – Ruszkiewicz Connection

Harter’s candidacy draws inevitable comparisons to Barry Cheney, who currently serves as both a county legislator and Deputy Mayor of Warwick. Previously Cheney has faced backlash for engaging in backroom dealings, supporting divisive leadership, and maintaining dual paid positions that critics say blur ethical lines. Cheney’s double-dipping has long been a point of contention, with many questioning his ability to prioritize the public good over personal financial gain.

Paul Ruszkiewicz, another Warwick legislator closely aligned with Cheney, has taken a more discrete approach to his political maneuvering. Both Cheney and Ruszkiewicz recently voted to support former Legislature Chairwoman Katie Bonelli⁽⁷⁾, despite her polarizing leadership and inability to garner the majority of support from members of her own party. Their votes to remove a Warwick newspaper from the legal roll further highlight a pattern of governance that can only lead one to determine they seek to diminish transparency and public engagement. Ruszkiewicz not only voted in favor of Bonelli’s controversial actions but also has already endorsed Harter’s legislative bid. This endorsement reveals Ruszkiewicz’s willingness to back political allies regardless of their ethical shortcomings. His support for Harter raises serious questions about his own motives and whether he prioritizes political expediency over accountability.

The Danger of Entrenched Politics

The candidacies and actions of Harter, Cheney, and Ruszkiewicz reflect a troubling trend in Warwick politics: a culture of backroom dealings, reduced transparency, and self-serving behavior. This culture stands in stark contrast to the principles championed by newly elected Legislature Chairman Kevin Hines, who has emphasized the need for openness, cooperation, and public participation. Under Hines’ leadership, the legislature has reinstated evening meetings to increase accessibility and restored The Warwick Valley Dispatch as a paper of record to enhance transparency.

Harter, an entrenched politician himself, stands to be a rubber-stamp for the Cheney-Ruszkiewicz agenda ⁽⁷⁾. Ruszkiewicz has already openly pledged his support for Harter and at a recent Warwick Republican Committee Meeting, voted by proxy in support of Harter’s candidacy.

Harter’s leadership style has been described as autocratic and opaque. His vocal opposition to free press initiatives⁽⁴⁾ and his attempts to bypass public input through behind-the-scenes negotiations^(1)(3)(5) raise serious questions about his suitability to hold dual office. Legal experts and community members alike have expressed concern that Harter’s potential election would further entrench a culture of secrecy and self-interest in Warwick’s representation.

A Call to Accountability

Residents of Warwick now face a critical decision as they consider Harter’s bid for the legislature and Cheney and Ruszkiewicz’s re-election campaigns. The stakes are high: voters must decide whether to endorse candidates whose actions reflect a pattern of self-serving behavior or demand leaders who prioritize transparency, accountability, and the public good.

As one Florida resident aptly remarked, “When taxpayers’ money is spent outside of caring for the needs of the community, it is no longer taxes—it is a form of alimony we all collectively pay.” This biting critique⁽⁶⁾ underscores the frustration many feel about a political culture that prioritizes personal and political gain over serving the community.

With redistricting reshaping districts and all 21 legislative seats up for election in November 2025, the implications for Orange County governance are significant.

The actions of elected officials like Harter, Cheney, and Ruszkiewicz serve as a cautionary tale of the dangers of entrenched politics and unchecked power. As Warwick and Orange County voters head to the polls, they must weigh whether these candidates embody the values needed to lead their communities or represent a continuation of practices that erode public trust. The choice will shape the future of local governance and set a precedent for accountability in public service.