WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – On the heels of his nomination last week by the Westchester County Democratic Committee to lead the party to victory in the race for County Executive, State Senator George Latimer (D – Port Chester) received the endorsement of Westchester County Legislator MaryJane Shimsky (D – Hastings-on-Hudson), on Monday. Legislator Shimsky provided the following statement:
This past Wednesday evening, Westchester County’s Democratic District Leaders — hundreds of volunteers who stand for election in their communities — decided whom they support as their candidate for Westchester County Executive this year. Their decision was clear and overwhelming: more than 70% of them chose State Senator George Latimer.
With his resounding convention victory, George has earned the support of all Westchester Democrats.
George is uniquely qualified to run our County. He has 20 years of private sector managerial experience, along with extensive experience in municipal, County and State government. As the first Democratic Chair of the Westchester Board of Legislators, George had a hand in landmark legislation, ran the legislative branch of County government, and maintained a solid relationship with the executive branch. His dozen years as a State legislator have given him a unique perspective on forging a productive relationship with our State partners. He is well known as a consensus builder, someone who will consider opposing points of view and work with everyone for the greater good.
Widely known as a progressive Democrat, George has been a longtime advocate for transportation, health care, environmental protection and fiscal sanity. He will ensure that our County will be run efficiently, humanely and in a way that meets our communities’ needs and reflects our communities’ values.
His likely primary opponent has argued that a contested primary will give Democratic voters “a choice.” But giving voters a choice in the September primary will likely rob them of a choice in November, and result in another four years of Republican misrule. After a September primary, the Democratic nominee will face a Tea Party incumbent with a repository of alternative facts and a burning ambition to be the next Governor of New York. The Democrat will have no money and seven short weeks before the general election to get his campaign together, while the well-rested and well-prepared Republican incumbent will have a massive campaign war chest. A primary would be disastrous for our County and possibly for our State. We must unite behind George now.
I am pleased and proud to endorse George Latimer, and will do everything I can to ensure his election in November. I urge all of my fellow Democrats, and all people of good will, to do the same.
Check out Senator George Latimer on People Before Politics Radio, Sunday May 21st at 6:30 PM
AJ Woodson
AJ Woodson is the Editor-In-Chief of Black Westchester and Co-Owner of Urban Soul Media Group, the parent company, Host & Producer of the People Before Politics Radio Show. AJ is a Father, Brother, An Author, Journalism Fellow (Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism), Hip-Hop Artist - one third of the legendary underground rap group JVC FORCE known for the single Strong Island, Radio Personality, Hip-Hop Historian, Documentarian, Activist, Criminal Justice Advocate and Freelance Journalist whose byline has appeared in several print publications and online sites including The Source, Vibe, the Village Voice, Upscale, Sonicnet.com, Launch.com, Rolling Out Newspaper, Daily Challenge Newspaper, Spiritual Minded Magazine, Word Up! Magazine, On The Go Magazine and several others.
