Kearns to run for supervisor

Carmel town Councilman Robert Kearns is running for Carmel Town Supervisor.

Kearns announced his run in a written statement released today (Dec. 18), citing “a proven record of fiscal responsibility, project management and community-focused leadership.”

Kearns, a Republican, is believed to be the youngest person ever elected to the Town Board when he won in 2023 at age 31.

“It has been an honor serving the people of Carmel, and I am running for Town Supervisor because our town needs leadership that plans ahead, manages responsibly and delivers results,” Kearns said. “Too often, government reacts to problems it knew were coming. I believe Carmel deserves proactive leadership that respects taxpayers and gets projects done.”

If elected, he believed he will become the youngest supervisor in Carmel history.

Kearns said he has focused on being “one of the most accessible elected officials in Putnam County.” He regularly hosts a public forum, “Connect with Kearns,” to meet with constituents and said he has worked to maintain open communication with residents of both Carmel Hamlet and Mahopac.

He called his dialogue with residents “the driving force” behind his no vote on the Carmel Water 2 proposal estimated to cost $28 million, which he said would have meant a significant water tax hike for roughly 2,100 households.

“By pushing the project out to bid, we identified a responsible alternative that reduced the cost to $13.8 million, saving taxpayers nearly $15 million,” Kearns said in his campaign launch statement. “That outcome came from listening, asking tough questions and applying real-world project management experience.”

Among his other accomplishments, Kearns said he played “a key role in advancing the town’s Master Plan to completion, moving the long-stalled Swan Cove project toward bidding, and advocating for completion of the Community and Recreation Center, a project the town spent $250,000 to design before I was elected but never advanced.”

In 2025, Kearns was named to the Irish Echo’s 40 Under 40 list and was named a “rising star” by the New York State Young Republicans in 2024.

Kearns earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from John Jay University and served an eight-year tenure with the United States Navy, where he was awarded the prestigious Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal for his service in the Middle East. In 2017, Kearns attained the highest recognition within the Navy, being honored as the Navy’s Sailor of the Year, a “testament to his leadership, professionalism and invaluable contributions to the military community,” and recently became the vice commander of VFW Post 5491 Mahopac.

Transitioning to civilian life, Kearns is employed as a project manager for a prominent construction firm. He lives in Mahopac with his wife, Francesca, and their three children.

In his statement, Kearns said his priorities will include long-term capital planning to prevent sudden tax increases, modernizing town operations through technology and transparency, advancing sewer infrastructure along Route 6 to support responsible development and restoring professionalism and accountability within Town Hall.

“The Town Supervisor is the daily manager of town government,” Kearns said. “I will be present, engaged and focused on ensuring our employees have the tools they need to succeed and our residents receive the service they deserve.”

Kearns said he is committed to “serving residents of all ages and making Carmel a town that works for families, seniors and future generations alike.”

“I’m running to finish projects that have stalled, protect taxpayers and make Carmel the best version of itself,” Kearns added. “This community deserves leadership that shows up, listens and delivers.”