By Brandon J. Neider-Yonkers GOP Committee Member Elect
Last month, after ousting numerous “leaders” within the Yonkers Republican Party, a coalition was formed making up over a third of the Party Leadership. A diverse group of Republicans came together with a shared mission: to rebuild a principled and competitive GOP in Yonkers—one that recruits, trains, and elects Republicans across our city.
Some may ask, “Don’t they do that already?” The unfortunate truth: not in any meaningful way. Just six months ago, at the Yonkers GOP Convention, party leaders refused to nominate Republican candidates to challenge entrenched Democratic incumbents. If not for Councilmember Anthony Merante’s stepping up to get Anthony Solieri endorsed, the 4th City Council District may have gone uncontested.
The same occurred at the Westchester GOP Convention. Yonkers GOP leaders again declined to run a candidate in the 14th County Legislative District. It was Mount Vernon’s GOP Chair Thomas Keller who intervened to ensure voters had a Republican option—Michael Pineda—on the ballot as an Endorsed Candidate.
Worse still, Yonkers GOP leadership refused to circulate petitions, which allow for ballot access, for endorsed candidates, raising serious questions about their commitment to the party’s success. It appears their priority is preserving political comfort rather than competing with Democratic incumbents.
Now, in the wake of Dean Politopoulos’s primary victory for Council President, there are calls for unity. We agree—unity is essential—but so far, those calls feel more like attempts at division and silence. Members of our coalition have faced harassment and threats simply for challenging the status quo. We’re ready to extend our hand to secure a Republican victory in November, but it seems to be unheard.
If Mr. Politopoulos and the Yonkers GOP leadership are serious about unity; they must back all Republican candidates, including Anthony Solieri and Michael Pineda along with all our newly elected party leadership. Our new coalition ousting several long-standing party leaders in the recent primary makes it clear: the grassroots wants change.
The door is open. If unity is truly the goal, it’s time to act like it.
Learn more about our coalition or get involved at: www.abetteryonkersgop.com
