On August 18, Albany Times Union reporter Chris Bragg wrote a story including Westchester County Executive George Latimer in the mix of democratic candidates for Governor. Former State Senator Terry Gipson, who served with Latimer in the senate, touted Latimer in the story, stating
“I served with George during my time in the state Senate and saw first-hand how he was universally respected by his colleagues in both the Assembly and Senate, as well as multiple county party leaders throughout the State. George has more government experience than most the people on your list. His network of allies across the state is far more extensive that most the people on your list. And I’m pretty sure that he’s the only person on your list that has won multiple competitive races against the Republican money machine. This includes his back-to-back 2016 Senate reelection and the 2017 county executive race (where he beat former Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Rob Astorino by a large margin).”
Latimer’s campaign is quoted in the story as saying that he is focused on his upcoming campaign for re-election as County Executive, but did not close the door on a run for Governor.
Other democratic ‘Friends of George” from Westchester that we spoke to confirmed that Latimer will not be a candidate for Governor, but that the leadership that Latimer has shown as Westchester County Executive during COVID, is fueling the talk about running for Governor.
“George has been getting high ratings for his job as County Executive and he is well liked and well respected by everyone. That is why he is being considered. I think he would make a great candidate for Lt. Governor, but then again, I want him to stay here in Westchester for another four years,” said a Democratic Friend of George.
Another Democratic leader from Yonkers said, “I’m certain there is a core group of supporters that would love to see George run for Governor, but Kathy Hochul is a strong and capable woman who will do a great job and will have an edge for re-election. It’s time for a woman to be Governor and I don’t think George will want to get in her way.”
A member of Indivisible Westchester said, “George Latimer has done a great job as County Executive and will be re-elected. But the next Governor of New York will be Kathy Hochul, or Attorney General Letitia James, if she decides to get in the race.”
