After months of speculation, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano said Tuesday that he will not run for Westchester County Executive in 2025, and looks forward to serving Yonkers during the remaining three years of his current term as Mayor.
At the same time, said Spano, he intends to sit down with Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins, who is the only announced candidate for County Executive thus far, to hear how Jenkins believes he can deliver for Yonkers should he win the position.
“Yonkers is the largest municipality in Westchester and is New York State’s third largest city, making the City’s support essential for any County Executive candidate to succeed,” noted Spano, adding, “Ken Jenkins is from Yonkers so he knows the City’s needs and challenges. I look forward to hearing his agenda to meet those needs and keep Yonkers moving in the right direction.”
Spano said that how the County spends its substantial housing, infrastructure, and social services budgets is critical to the people of Yonkers.
“The next County Executive is going to have to win two elections in 2025, possibly three if there is a primary,” said Spano, adding, “Yonkers is ready to support those who support us.”
Current County Executive George Latimer will be vacating the position to take a seat in the House of Representatives in January. The Westchester County Legislature will name an interim County Executive who will serve until a special election early in the year. The winner will have to run again in the general election taking place in November of 2025. In addition, there could be a party primary to determine the candidate for the general election.
Thomas Meier, who Chairs the Yonkers Democratic City Committee, stated, “Yonkers has made tremendous progress under Mike Spano, and I am glad to hear he wants to continue that progress. I also agree that Yonkers needs to hear from Ken Jenkins and any other candidate seeking to become County Executive and how he or she will work with our City on behalf of its residents.”
Spano concluded, “Thank you to all those who reached out to me and encouraged me to run for County Executive. I am committed to Yonkers for the remainder of my term.”
AJ Woodson is the Editor-In-Chief and co-owner of Black Westchester, Host & Producer of the People Before Politics Radio Show, An Author, Journalism Fellow (Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism), Rap 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
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