By Dan Murphy
Twenty three days after a number of Democratic Primaries in Westchester on June 23, the Board of Elections was able to certify the results of several important contests for county, state and federal offices. Many Westchester residents have complained about waiting on long lines to vote on primary day, and the long delay in receiving the official vote totals.
In one of the three biggest Democratic primaries in Westchester on June 23, Mondaire Jones won his race for Congress in the 17th District. Jones received 45% of the vote in a seven person contest and is now the heavy favorite to replace Nita Lowey in November. “One year after launching my historic bid for United States Co gress, I am honored to announce that I have secured the Democratic nomination to represent New York’s 17th Congressional District,” said Jones. “I received nearly three times as many votes as the second-place finisher in a crowded, 8-person primary, despite being outspent by the second-place finisher (the son of a billionaire) more than 3-to-1.
“Indeed, in the 244-year history of the United States, there has never been an openly gay, black member of Congress. That changes this year, thanks to the great people of New York’s 17th Congressional District. On June 23rd, Democrats nominated a champion for working people, and that I had the best team a billion dollars could not buy,” said Jones
Jamaal Bowman defeated 30 year Congressman Eliot Engel in the 16th District, with 56% of the vote. Engel conceded after waiting for all of the absentee ballots to be counted. “We have made so much progress together, and faced so many challenges. Throughout those years, I have always worked as hard as humanly possible to represent my constituents as a progressive Democrat in Washington and as an involved, informed and present public servant in New York. I never for a minute thought of this as my seat,” he said. “It’s the people’s seat, and it is a true honor that you put your trust in me to represent you in the greatest legislative body in the world,” said Rep. Engel.
Westchester District Attorney Anthony Scarpino also conceded last week to Mimi Rocah after counting absentee ballots. “I called Mimi Rocah to congratulate her on winning the Democratic nomination for Westchester County District Attorney. I look forward to supporting her and Democrats up and down the ballot in November. It has been my distinct honor to serve as District Attorney and I am grateful to the people of Westchester for affording me the opportunity to do so since 2017. I am extraordinarily proud of the public servants in the District Attorney’s Office who dedicate every day to create a safer, more just County for all. I look forward to completing my term as District Attorney, a role which has been an integral part of my four decade-long career in service to the community that I love.”
Westchester democrats also had three competitive Assembly primaries to vote on June 23. Bedford Supervisor Chris Burdick won the democratic primary for the 93rd Assembly District. Burdick, with 34% of the vote, defeated four other democrats. “I want to thank each and every one of you for your amazing support… this victory would not have been possible without my amazing team of staff, volunteers and donors. This was a close race between five strong Democrats, all of whom want the best for our district. I promise I will not let you down.
“Today we celebrate, but we have a lot of hard work ahead of us, not only in the 93rd AD but also in the 40th Senate District, where Senator Pete Harckham will be facing Rob Astorino. We look forward to closely coordinating with Pete — as well as Senator Shelley Mayer in the 37th SD — to ensure their victories, as well as ours. Let’s make sure November isn’t just a Blue Wave, but a Blue Tsunami. I am honored to be your Democratic nominee,” said Burdick, who is the heavy favorite to replace Assemblyman David Buchwald.
The closest democratic primary came in the race for Assembly in the 91st District, where Meg Cameron was leading Assemblyman Steve Otis, but after all absentee ballots were counted, Otis had won by 84 votes out of more than 11,000 votes cast.
Assemblyman Tom Abinanti also pulled victory from the jaws of defeat as he defeated Jen Williams in the democratic primary in the 92Assembly District. Abinanti ended up with a 55%-45% victory. Congratulations to Williams for running a great campaign, and we are sure we will hear from her again.
Despite recent efforts by the County Board of Legislators and County Executive George Latimer to improve the Board of Elections, Westchester residents may have to get used to waiting for the outcome of close elections this November, if tens of thousands of absentee ballots will have to be counted again.
