By Dan Murphy
County Executive Ken Jenkins won his first election as the democratic nominee for Westchester’s top post by winning the special election held on Feb. 11. Jenkins, a Democrat, defeated republican Christine Sculti by a 64%-36% margin.
“It is an honor to be elected Westchester County Executive. I want to thank everyone who showed up to the polls in the snow and wind to let their voices be heard. Instead of succumbing to partisan division, we chose to come together and chart a new course forward – one focused on bringing real, lasting results to every community across Westchester County,” said Jenkins.
“We won’t be distracted by the chaos in Washington – my administration will continue to deliver great services for Westchester residents and tackle the issues that matter most. It’s time to build on our progress, secure funding for affordable housing, bring down costs for working people and their families, keep every resident safe, protect all our rights, defend democracy, and ensure everyone has a real opportunity to succeed.
“Nothing is ever achieved alone. I’m honored by the support that led our campaign to this historic victory. I specifically want to thank my wife, Deborah, our children, and our entire family for their support. I also want to thank my campaign team, Congressmember George Latimer, Governor Kathy Hochul, U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, NYS Attorney General Letitia James, NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the unions, the community organizations, my colleagues in public service across the county and beyond, and our volunteers whose support powered us across the finish line.
To all of Westchester County: I am honored to serve you, and I will work each and every day to deliver for our families,” said Jenkins.
Ken Jenkins has served in several key roles in Westchester County government for more than 20 years. Over the last 12 years, he has sought the Democratic nomination for county executive.
Twelve years ago, New Rochelle Noam Bramson became the Democratic nominee and lost to Republican County Executive Rob Astorino. Eight years ago, George Latimer became the Democratic nominee and defeated Astorino.
On both occasions, Jenkins deferred to the results of the Westchester Democratic convention and supported his party’s nominee. Jenkins’s realization that the best course was to continue to serve the party and the people of Westchester until his turn to run came has indeed paid off. Good things come to those who wait.
Jenkins’s 8 years as a partner in county government as Deputy County Executive under Latimer translated at the ballot box on Feb. 11 into a big election win.
The voters in Westchester were more than satisfied with Latimer’s tenure as County Executive, and that satisfaction was evident in their support for Jenkins.
While turnout was low for the Special Election (90,056 total votes) and in early voting (only 26,000 votes), the percentages in Westchester remained the same as they have been over the past 12 years.
2017-57%-43% -Latimer-Astorino
2021- 62%-38%-Latimer-Sculti
2025-64%-36%-Jenkins-Sculti.
Sculti ran a more active campaign this time around. She aired radio ads on WABC Radio -770 and was interviewed by John Catsimatidis. During the interview, she responded well and articulated her issues and reasons for running.
Sculti traveled Westchester in a campaign van in the hopes of rallying her base of supporters and getting them to vote in the special election…but the results were the same for Republicans.
Sculti did well and won in some of the usual R places: Yorktown, Somers, Mount Pleasant, Eastchester, Harrison, and parts of Yonkers.
Some were hopeful that Sculti could perform better than in the past and close the gap to single digits. But that didn’t happen, and Democrats were gloating after special election night.
“Hudson Valley Republicans are reeling this morning at the size of Ken Jenkins’ blowout Westchester win over MAGA candidate Christine Sculti, endorsed by Trump. Experts reckoned a much tighter race,” and “Massive defeat for MAGA in Westchester. Blue wall holds – and indeed, goes on offense vs. Trump’s anti-American values. This is where it starts… Trump’s. candidate in the Westchester special ran on mass deportation, DEI, and trans panic. Got destroyed tonight by regular Democrat Ken Jenkins, who notably didn’t back down on coarse and vile MAGA framing. Took it on aggressively. There’s a lesson there, folks,” tweeted progressive democrat consultant Tom Watson.
Congressman Latimer tweeted from Washington, “Congrats to @KenJenkinsNY for his big special election victory as Westchester County Executive. 64% is a tremendous result – and a statement in the face of Donald Trump supporting his opponent.”
This brings us to President Trump, who got 37% of the vote in 2024 in Westchester, compared to 63% for Harris. In 2020, Trump got 32%, and Biden got 68%.
Trump endorsed Sculti the day before the Special Election with a post on Truth Social. Trump joined Westchester Republicans Rob Astorino, Tony Colavita, and Congressman Mike Lawler in endorsing Sculti.
Jenkins will serve out the remainder of Latimer’s term and will run again for a four-year term in November. The question now is, what Republican is interested in running against Jenkins after watching him beat Sculti by 36 points?
Some Westchester politicians we spoke to thought Sculti was a placeholder in the special election and that the Westchester GOP would find another candidate in November.
But another Westchester political observer reminded me that with petitions going out in two weeks, the Westchester GOP has little time to put a candidate for County Executive on their petitions.
“Who would want to run against Ken in November? Maybe you can cut the margin to 10 points, but is it worth it?” said one Sound View Democrat.
