L-R-County Legislator Shanae Williams, City Councilwoman Corazon Pineda-Isaac, and former Council President Chuck Lesnick
Former two-term Yonkers Council President Chuck Lesnick officially launched his campaign last week to retake his former seat. Surrounded by his family, dozens of community leaders, supporters and volunteers, as well as elected officials such as Councilwoman Corazón Pineda Issac and County Legislator Shanae Williams, Lesnick kicked off the petitioning season promising to bring experienced leadership to the Council amid an era of unprecedented political uncertainty and fear.
“As Trump and his allies continue to push policies that threaten our communities, Yonkers needs proven leadership that understands the challenges we face and has the experience to deliver results,” said Lesnick. “During my time as City Council President, we made real progress expanding access to affordable housing, revitalizing our downtown, and investing in education. I’m running to continue that work and ensure Yonkers moves forward for everyone.”
Lesnick enters the race as the most impactful City Council President of the last 35 years. In office from 2006-2013, Chuck restored City funding for arts, music and sports in the Yonkers Public Schools. He created the city’s first voluntary affordable housing ordinance which has since led to the creation of thousands of units of new affordable housing in Yonkers. Chuck was instrumental in commencing the original Saw Mill River Daylighting project, securing funding in partnership with the State Legislature and passing the required approvals to break ground. Today, the Saw Mill River Daylighting project has catalyzed an unprecedented boom in economic development and housing creation in downtown Yonkers.
Beyond his tenure on the Council, Chuck has worked at all levels of government, including with New York Governors Mario and Andrew Cuomo, Congresswoman Nita Lowey, the City of Yonkers, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development working on housing development and economic revitalization. He also served as Deputy Counsel & Assistant Commissioner for Homes & Community Renewal protecting the rights of both tenants and landlords in the preservation of affordable, safe and sanitary rental units particularly for senior citizens and less able individuals.
In the private sector, Lesnick is an attorney who has built and managed affordable housing and job generating economic development projects, furthering his expertise in economic policy, urban planning and law.
Lesnick remains the only City Council President ever to be re-elected to a four-year term. He has consistently prioritized fiscal responsibility, never voting to give himself a raise, never breaking the state’s 2% property tax cap and never extending term limits. He never allowed for any cuts to the Yonkers Schools budget and restored $10 million for arts, music and sports which remained each year during his tenure.
“Yonkers is a great city with enormous potential, but we need leadership that understands how to get things done,” Lesnick continued. “I have the experience, the relationships, and the vision to move our city forward. I’m ready to get back to work for the people of Yonkers.”
In office from 2006-2013, Chuck restored City funding for arts, music and sports in the Yonkers Public Schools. He created the city’s first voluntary affordable housing ordinance which has since led to the creation of thousands of units of new affordable housing in Yonkers. Chuck was instrumental in commencing the original Saw Mill River Daylighting project, securing funding in partnership with the State Legislature and passing the required approvals to break ground. Today, the Saw Mill River Daylighting project has catalyzed an unprecedented boom in economic development and housing creation in downtown Yonkers. He never voted to give himself a raise and never broke the State’s 2% cap on property taxes.
Lesnick recently received the endorsement from County Legislator Shanae Williams and Councilwoman Corazo Pineda-Isaac.
