Mayor Spano Endorses Gashi; Council President Collins-Bellamy Endorses Bowman; Early Voting Begins Aug. 13
By Dan Murphy
Congressman Jamaal Bowman and his closet challenger, County Legislator Vedat Gashi, exchanged endorsements as the campaign heats for the August 23 democratic primary, and early voting begins on Aug. 13.
Gashi received the endorsements from Mayor Mike Spano, former Congresswoman Nita Lowey, and Teamster Local 456. These endorsements are on top of several prominent Westchester democratic elected woman that have supported Gashi’s campaign, including Assembly member Amy Paulin, and Board of Legislators Chair Catherine Borgia. Spano and other Yonkers and Westchester democrats recently attended a fund raiser for Gashi.
Former Congresswoman Lowey said,“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.”
Several Unions have also endorsed Gashi’s campaign, including Teamsters Local 456, 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, Teamsters Local 813, Teamsters Local 814 and Tile, Marble, and Terrazzo Local 7, and more.
Gashi said, “I am humbled to have earned the endorsement of former congresswoman Nita M. Lowey, a true champion for progressive priorities. I am committed to not only fight but win for our democracy and the families of the Bronx and Westchester. I am committed to bringing real progress to all of the residents across the 16th district and vow to do just that when I am elected.”
Congressman Bowman received the endorsements from City Council President Lakisha Collins Bellamy and Councilwoman Shanae Williams. “Congressman Bowman has been a tireless advocate for the people of Yonkers and of NY-16,” said Yonkers Council President Lakisha Collins-Bellamy.
“In his first term, he ensured equitable access to vaccines by securing a federal vaccination site here in Yonkers and has already brought back millions of dollars of federal investments for affordable housing, our schools, and our communities. We need his leadership in Washington.”
“I am proud to endorse Congressman Jamaal Bowman for re-election,” said Councilmember Shanae V. Williams. “As a Yonkers resident himself, his deep understanding of what our communities need has been exemplified in what he’s been fighting for in Washington, from affordable housing, to reforms for our justice system, to action to combat the climate crisis. I look forward to continuing to work with him to deliver for the people of Yonkers.”
“I’m honored to have the support of these two local leaders, who work tirelessly to better the lives of their constituents,” said Congressman Jamaal Bowman. “I always say that local leaders have their finger on the pulse of what their constituents need better than anyone. Council President Collins-Bellamy and Councilwoman Williams are proof of this fact, and their support is a testament to the work that my team has done advocating for and leading on the issues that the people of Yonkers care about most.”
Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard has also endorsed Bowman.
Another democrat in this race for Congress in the 16th District, Harrison resident Mark Jaffe, withdrew and endorsed Gashi.
Early voting will start on Saturday August 13, at three Yonkers locations.
Grinton I. Will Library, 1500 Central Park Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10710
Nodine Hill Community Center, 140 Fillmore Street, Yonkers, NY 10701
Riverfront Library, One Larkin Center, Yonkers, NY 10701
Hours for early voting will be on
Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.; Monday, Aug. 15, 2022 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.; Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022 from noon until 8 p.m.; Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.; Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022 from noon until 8 p.m.; Friday, Aug. 19, 2022 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m;. Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Democrats we spoke to see Congressman Bowman’s campaign beginning to pick up intensity for the final two weeks, with Gashi’s campaign also pushing hard, especially in Yonkers, where many believe will be the deciding factor in the electon.
Nobody knows about how many democrats will come out to vote for an Aug. 23 primary. One wise democrat told us that total turnout could be as low as 15,000.
