By Dan Murphy
Two of Westchester’s long serving former members of Congress did something rarely seen in democratic party politics. They endorsed a democratic challenger against a sitting democratic incumbent member of Congress.
Former Congresswoman Nita Lowey and former Congressman Eliot Engel endorsed County Legislator Vedat Gashi for Congress in the upcoming democratic primary on Aug. 23 in district NY-16, which including the Bronx and all of Southern Westchester.
Lowey’s endorsement is considered more surprising and important for Gashi. Engel lost to Bowman in a democratic primary two years ago.
“Over the course of my 32 years in Congress, I represented nearly all of the communities now included in the 16th CD. As Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, I focused on national, international and local issues of importance to my Westchester constituents,” said Lowey. “Today, I announce my enthusiastic support of Vedat Gashi for Congress. Vedat is young, smart, experienced, and hard working. He shares my values and priorities. If elected, he will be a worthy successor.”
In his endorsement, Engel said, “Vedat is the type of leader we need in Washington, D.C. – someone who understands the unprecedented times we are facing and who will work with President Biden and fellow Democrats on our shared democratic values. Someone who will work to achieve real results and real progress, not rhetoric or partisan politics.”
“I got to know Vedat while he led transformational work to help bring peace and democracy to Kosovo as an attorney for the United Nations. Vedat will always stand with our allies like Israel and Ukraine. He will keep our communities safe and ensure that families can not only make ends meet but thrive. I strongly endorse Vedat Gashi for Congress because he will always put the residents of the Bronx and Westchester first.”
Engel and Lowey both served 32 years each in Congress, representing different parts of Westchester throughout their political careers. The Gashi campaign called their endorsements “part of a growing coalition supporting Gashi’s campaign, which is laser focused on delivering tangible results to the everyday families of the Bronx and Westchester.”
“I am honored to have the support of Eliot Engel, a longtime friend and a true class act who humbly served the people of the Bronx and Westchester for more than three decades,” said NY-16 Candidate Vedat Gashi. “I am incredibly proud of the grassroots campaign that we are building. As a Member of Congress, I will tackle the social issues that directly impact families and strengthen relationships with Democrats from across the country to deliver quality health care, great schools, healthier infrastructure and economic advancement for everyone.”
Engel joins a diverse group of supporters that include elected officials, local leaders, community advocates, labor unions, and clubs including Former Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey, Former New York Governor David Paterson, NYS Assemblywoman Sandy Galef, NYS Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, Yonkers Democratic Party Chair Tom Meier, Westchester County Board of Legislators Chair Catherine Borgia, Westchester County Legislator Colin Smith, former Westchester Democratic Party Chair David Alpert, former Westchester Democratic Party Deputy Chair Bill Serratore, former Westchester County Legislators Alfreda Williams and Ruth Walter, Asbestos Workers Local 91, Boilermakers Local 5, Bricklayers Allied Crafts Local 5, Building Laborers Local 235, Westchester County Corrections Superior Officers Association, Building Trades Council, Dockbuilders Local 1556, Ironworkers Local 40, Ironworkers Local 417, Laborers Local 60, Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters Local 279, Operating Engineers Local 137, Ornamental Ironworkers Local 580, Painters District Council 9, Plumbers/Steamfitters Local 21, Road Sprinkler Local 669, Teamsters Local 456, Teamsters Local 813, Teamsters Local 814 and Tile, Marble, and Terrazzo Local 7.
