One of the topics of continued discussion with my political friends, including Delfim Heusler, who we recently lost, is how can Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano do it? How can he run for four terms in this hyper-partisan political environment and win again, and again, and again and again?
Part of the reason can be found in the Mayor’s statement regarding the shooting death of Charlie Kirk.
Kirk was a wildly popular conservative podcaster and lecturer, who was also very influential in the election of President Donald Trump in 2024.
Typically, in our divided nation, most people stay on one side of the fence or the other. Republicans had a lot to say while democrats, for the most part, remained quiet, or blasted Kirk for his views and comments.
Mayor Spano was one of a few Westchester Democrats who took the time to comment on the shooting of Charlie Kirk in a reasonable way.
“This is not OK. This is what our Democracy is all about-Freedom of Speech. This is not a Republican issue or a Democratic issue. This is not about partisan politics. This is about the fundamentals of our republic. We need to be able to have public discourse without fear reprisal,” said Spano.
Not only do I agree with what the Mayor said, but I am glad that he had the political Chutzpah to say it.
And these comments are one of the reasons, in my view, why Mayor Spano has been elected Mayor of Yonkers for a record, four -four year terms.
He has his pulse on what the vast majority of Yonkers residents are thinking and feeling, and he is unafraid to say it.
Spano has a crossover appeal to democrats, Republicans, and Independents, which we no longer see not only in Westchester and New York State, but across American politics.
I looked at the comments on Facebook below the Mayor’s post. Most were sad about Kirk and supportive of the Mayor’s thought. Some questioned why there wasn’t the same outcry over the shooting death of a democratic state legislator in Minnesota.
“I’ve never been so devastated & sickened by the cruel, senseless assassination of an innocent public figure as that of Charlie. He was devoted to open dialogue, to our youth, to God, and treated all with respect and civility, in the face of hostility. RIP Charlie This was a man of faith and servitude to the public. This was a brave man who sat straight and stood tall in the face of a very tumultuous and uncertain time in our lives. He was no coward. He was brave, and he gave completely of himself,” was one post.
“Charlie Kirk had a lot to say-and he spoke his mind, and at the age of 31, was one of the most influential Americans of his generation. Most of you have likely never listened to Charlie Kirk, joined his organization, or attended one ofhis speeches.
Yes, he was a Conservative and a Christian. But Charlie also spoke about the younger generation of Americans who are struggling to live the American Dream, who can’t afford to buy a house and are living paycheck to paycheck.
And Charlie warned us that when you have a generation of 40 million Americans who don’t own anything and can’t afford to invest in our country, they are not invested in our country and our future, and that is dangerous.
I haven’t heard anyone speak about this problem in such a non-partisan way.
Charlie also enjoyed and sought out discussions with people who held opposing political views. That is why he was often speaking at colleges across the country. He was unafraid to go into the belly of the beast, and have the debate but also take the heat. And that is how he died, engaging in this American discourse that we no longer see anymore, and it is what Mayor Spano felt was important to highlight.
So if you ever wonder why Yonkers has a Mayor who has been elected for 16 years, this is one reason why.
