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Testa, a retired teacher at Peekskill High School, has served on the Peekskill Common Council and as mayor for six years before becoming county legislator in 2009.
Testa said during his time on the legislator he has worked in a bipartisan way with fellow legislators and County Executive Robert Astorino to keep taxes down and get things done.
"During my time as county legislator I have taken a leadership role in senior citizen and veteran issues," Testa said. "I was a leader in having Westchester County named a Purple Heart County in honor of our veterans."
Testa also spearheaded a joint effort with The Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to open a Northern Westchester Office providing free legal services to seniors, veterans and victims of domestic violence
Testa's family has called Peekskill home for more than 120 years.
"Peekskill is where I grew up, went to school and established my family and career," Testa said. "Peekskill is the jewel on the Hudson and a wonderful place to live and raise a family."
Testa said he tries to frequent most restaurants in Peekskill, since they are unique and special in their own way. Testa said he enjoys being able to help his fellow citizens.
"I thoroughly enjoyed my time in local government when we made unprecedented improvement and brought hundreds of millions of dollars of private investment to the city," Testa said. "To be able to look back and see what we were able to do for the city that I grew up in and gave my family and me so much is extremely gratifying."
The legislator pointed to his record of having taxes with 0 percent increases during his last three years as mayor and decreasing county taxes while serving as a county legislator.
"It's gratifying to bring improvements and support an entire region," Testa said. "It helps the people of our area afford to continue to live here."
Testa is opposed by Buchanan trustee Duane Jackson. District 1 represents Peekskill, Cortlandt and Yorktown.
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