By Dan Murphy
As a sign of their strength in population and in politics, the Hispanic Democrats of Westchester released a statment that they will be running “an unprecedented number” of democratic candidates for office in Westchester, including running demcoratic primaries against incumbents.
Perhaps the biggest primary challenge will come in New Rochelle, where County Legislator Terry Clements, who is chair of the Black Democrats of Westchester, will face a tough democratic primary from Ximena Francella, co-chair of the Hispanic Democrats of Westchester, in the 11th District.
Also in New Rochelle, County Legislator Damon Maher will be challenged in a democratic primary by Manuel Casanova, in the 10th District.
The release from the Hispanic Democrats of Westchester highlights an upcoming event on Sunday, January 8 in which they will introduce more hispanic democrats who will run for office this year.
“The Hispanic Democrats of Westchester is a 40-year old organization that has a long and distinguished history of educating voters, registering new voters, mentoring possible candidates, supporting democratic candidates and working for the democratic party. We have now reached the tipping point and are ready to present to the democratic party and the public our list of candidates for the 2023 political season, including county legislative candidates, town council candidates and mayoral candidates. We are full participants in the democratic process and are willing to fight for our seat at the table,” stated Francella and Robin Bikkal, co-chairs of the Hispanic Democrats of Westchester.
We spoke to Bikkal, who has served as a leader in the Westchester Democratic Party for decades. “It’s not easy for me to have our slate of candidates, but we have been loyal members of the democratic party for 40 years. We now have candidates who are qualified and ready to run, and I will not tell them not to run.”
“New Rochelle in particular, is fertile ground for hispanic candidates coming forward to run for office and serve their community. Ximena (Francella) has been active in her community for years and we feel that the tims is now to seek new and different representation on the county board of legislators,” said Bikkal, who also highlighted Peekskill City Councilman Ramon Fernandez, who will be running for Peekskill Mayor, Jonathan Campozano, who will be running for Greenburgh Town Board, and Yadira Ramos-Herbert, who will be running for New Rochelle Mayor.
“And we have other interested candidates who are not ready to announce yet. 2023 will be a big year in Westchester politics,” said Bikkal.
The Hispanic Democrats of Westchester will host a Three Kings Day celebration on Sunday, January 8, from 12noon-3pm at Salsa Picante Restaurant, 359 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains, where they will also introduce their democratic candidates.
