Westchester County Executive George Latimer, fresh of a 20 point re-election win on Nov. 2, ruled out a run for Governor of the Empire State next year…almost. Adding a caveat of “you never say never,” Latimer told WAMC radio that the current Governor, Kathy Hochul and NY Attorney General Letitia James, are “the major candidacies,” for NY Democrats.
“I think it’s pretty unlikely at this stage of the game,” said Latimer when asked directly if he was going to run for Governor. “From where i’m sitting now, it looks like a two candidate race. And I think, you know, it’s fair to say that women who have never had a governor before today, feel a certain sense of pride. They would like to see a woman governor after 56 male governors. They’re happy to see a female governor, whether it will continue to be Governor Hochul or Attorney General James.”
“You never say never, but I think it’s pretty unlikely that I’m going to be in the gubernatorial sweepstakes. I’m very happy to be county executive, I got a great county to run and I’m anxious to do a good job here.
When asked if he will endorse a candidate for Governor, Latimer said yes, but that he will wait for others, including State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, who Latimer called the most prominent democrat in the county, and others, Westchester County Chair Suzanne Berger, and Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, before makng an endorsement. “I don’t expect it’s going to happen in the short term,” said Latimer, who remined all of us that the convention in Westchester and in NY State will be held in February beause of the June primaries now in New York State.
But Latimer added that because of redistricting of all political boundaries in New York State, and the delays in accomplishing that requirement, the primary for state offices might have to be pushed back to September.
To listen to the interview, visit
