A Who’s Who list of prominent Westchester Republcians were asked to run for County Executive this year against incumbent democrat George Latimer. And all of those candidates said, thanks but no thanks to taking on a popular County Exec. from a party that has not won a countywide election in 8 years, and has no represenation on the county board of legsialtors, 16-1, with one conservative.
Here’s the list of GOP hopeful’s all of who could have given Latimer a fight of sorts.
Former State Senator Terrence Murphy. Murphy narrowly lost his re-election bid in 2018, and has been quiet on the political front for the past two years. Murphy would have made a good CE canddiate for the Westchester GOP.
Former Congresswoman Nan Hayworth. This is an odd selection, but what the heck, when you are calling everyone, Hayworth, who served in Congress representing Northern Westchester for two years, and is well known in the Hudson Valley. Although it would have taken an earthquake to get her to say yes, Hayworth would also have been a credible candidate.
Former County Executive Rob Astorino. Astorino lost to Latimer four years ago, after serving for 8 years. We are told that he has no interest in running a fourth time for County Executive, and instead is consideirng a second run for Governor next year. Astorino remains very popular among Westchester republicans and would have made a good candiate if he ever wanted to make another run.
Former County Legislator John Testa. Testa, who served for 10 years on the County Board and was Mayor of Peekskill prior to that, is now doing what he loves, running the Lincoln Musuem in Peekskill. He has retired from politics.
Eastchester Supervisor Tony Colavita. Colavita has long been rumored to be a candidate for County Executive for three decades. He remains very popular in Eastchester, where the Colavita name remains the gold standard. While Colavita seems to be happy serving out his political career as Supervisor, the only way he would run for County Executive is if there were a vacancy and a special election, where he could rally the troops quickly.
Jim Castro Blanco and Adam Rodriguez. These two we put together because both are from Yonkers and both you have probably not heard of unless you are a political junkie. Castro-Blanco ran for Yonkers City Council President in 2009. He currently works as Deputy County Attorney and enjoys the practice of law. Adam Rodriguez also worked as head of real estate for Westchester County under Astorino, and was considering a run for Yonkers Mayor two years ago.
Someone also tossed out Julie Killian, who ran for State Senate twice, once against Latimer. But she has been quiet since her loss three years ago to Sen. Shelley Mayer.
That’s all the names we hear, but we may have missed one. Email us if you have another name to dmurphy@risingmediagroup.com
