On Feb. 8, Westchester County Legislator Vedat Gashi filed paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission, (FEC), for Gashi for Congress, taking the first step to challenge incumbent Congressman Jamaal Bowman in a democratic primary June 23, in the 16th District, which now runs from the Bronx all the way north into Putnam County.
Who is Vedat Gashi? Here’s what his website tells us about his interesting life story. “Vedat’s commitment to public service came from his family’s experience as political activists and refugees, opportunities he had working with inspiring leaders, and his experience helping to create a country out of the ashes of war.
“Vedat was born in Kosovo (formerly Yugoslavia) in April of 1978. At the age of 4, he and his
family fled the oppressive, socialist regime to the United States. Vedat first moved to the Bronx
and later put down permanent roots in Yorktown. Vedat is one of five children, four of whom
still reside in Yorktown where they are raising their families.
“After graduating from Lakeland High School, Vedat went on to pursue a B.A. from Connecticut
College, where he was invited to serve on the Board of Trustees as a Young Alumni Trustee.
Next, Vedat earned his J.D. from Seton Hall University. During his studies, Vedat interned with
two of his heroes, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, then at the Second Circuit Court of
Appeals, and Congressman Lee Hamilton on the House International Relations Committee.
“Upon passing the New York Bar, Vedat was called to service in Kosovo to join the US/EU effort
to help establish the newly formed state of Kosovo – first through a grant from the Rockefeller
Brothers Fund and later through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the
United Nations. While in Kosovo, Vedat’s hard work lead to remarkable accomplishments,
including drafting some of Kosovo’s foundational legal documents and establishing Kosovo’s
Ministry of Local Government Administration. Vedat was later nominated by the United Nations
to serve as the Chief Legal Advisor to Kosovo’s Prime Minister. Shortly after Kosovo declared
independence, Vedat returned to his home in the United States.
“Vedat’s experiences abroad made him appreciate the value of the strong democratic foundation
in the United States. Upon returning home to Yorktown, Vedat followed in the footsteps of his
family’s small business success in real estate by opening up his own small business, in the form
of a real estate legal practice, in Yorktown Heights and in the Bronx.
“Currently, Vedat lives and works in his hometown of Yorktown, with his wife, Vjosa, and their
children, Leka and Hana, who also attend the Yorktown public schools. Vedat is a member of
the Rotary Club of Yorktown and an active member of the Yorktown Democratic Party where he serves as a Democratic District Leader.”
Gashi is currently serving his second, two-year term on the Westchester Board of Legislators. Outside of political circles, he is a relatively unknown elected official.
But those who we spoke to called Gashi “a rising star in democratic politics,” and “someone who will give Bowman a tough race.”
“Gashi is a smart, effective alternative. He has a unique demographic as a native of Kosovo, but raised in Northern Westchester. As a Muslim, he brings diversity to the race and will be able to raise a lot of money. He has served his community well in so many ways. Look out Rep. Bowman,” said one Westchester democrat.
Another Democrat who lives in Gashi’s district said, “There are some elected officials who rise to the top sooner than others. I have known and campaigned with Vedat for four years. He is a thoughtful and engaging person. He went to Lakeland High School and i went to Yorktown. He has a wonderful family, and is just another welcome face at Starbucks in the morning. But he is also a politician with a bright future.”
Several Westchester democrats said that they did not want to come out publicly against Rep. Bowman but had nothing but respect for Gashi. Bowman’s 16th District was changed to include less of the Bronx, (but the Bronx is still 30% of the district) and more of Westchester, running north into Yorktown and Putnam County.
“Yorktown is Vedat’s hometown and there are a thousand Yorktown democrats who want to make some noise politically. They will help Vedat build some momentum in the northern parts of the district. Democrats will come out for Vedat in northern Westchester,” said another Westchester democrat.
Some believe that Bowman is too progressive for the Westcheter democrats he represents. Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, who was looking at a run against Bowman, spoke about and penned an editorial about the moderate part of the Westchester democratic party that needs a voice. Maybe Vedat Gashi is that person. Gashi is expected to formally announce by Feb. 18.
Editor’s Note: Gashi for Congress was first report in the Yonkers Tribune. The FEC paperwork is dated Feb. 8.
