Tyrae Woodson-Samuels was sworn in on December 4 as legislator for the County’s 13th district comprising most of Mount Vernon. The swearing in took place at the office of County Clear Tim Idoni
Woodson-Samuels was elected in November in a special election to fill the seat vacated in August by former Legislator Lyndon Williams, who was appointed a Mount Vernon City Court Judge.
Woodson-Samuels, a 28-year-old Mount Vernon native, joins the Board after serving as Deputy Director of Constituent Services for Congressman Eliot Engel, working with residents and public officials on issues including immigration, gun safety, Federal funding, military and veterans affairs, healthcare, Social Security and senior issues, and regional environmental concerns.
Woodson-Samuels (D-Mount Vernon) said, “I’d like to thank Judge Lyndon Williams for his years of service to the people of Mount Vernon and Westchester County. His fairness, thoroughness, preparation, and commitment to community make him an exemplary public servant. As a legislator, I will continue his work to complete the reconstruction of Memorial Field and to fight to preserve Mount Vernon Hospital.”
Woodson-Samuels added, “In the next two weeks, I will work with my new colleagues to pass a County budget that responds to the pandemic in a fiscally responsible way, while preserving essential services. Next year, we will need to turn our attention to rebuilding. The pandemic has laid bare social and economic disparities including food insecurity and the digital divide. We need to support people in need, prepare for challenges as foreclosure moratoriums expire, work towards universal broadband so that no one is left behind in a shift to remote education and work, and help our small businesses survive.”
Woodson-Samuels concluded, “I also look forward the Board’s review of the recommendations of the County’s Police Reform and Reimagining Task Force. We must use this unique moment to make policing more diverse, just, equitable, transparent and modern, before we forward any plan on to the governor.”
Woodson-Samuels is the third youngest legislator in Westchester history, and the youngest to take office since 1984. Board Chair Ben Boykin said, “Legislator Woodson-Samuels may be one of the youngest legislators ever to be elected to this body, but his intellect, his commitment to community, and his years of service with Congressman Engel, leave no doubt about his preparation to hit the ground running to serve the Mount Vernon community. I welcome him and look forward to his fresh perspectives as we work on behalf of the people of Westchester County.”
