Trump to Astorino to Perez the Tri-Fecta
State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins officially kicked off her re-election campaign for 2018 in which she faces a democratic primary challenge from county legislator Virginia Perez, by getting the endorsement of 12 of the 13 democratic members of the county board. Perez, was the only democratic county legislator who didn’t support Stewart- Cousins, who serves as the leader of the Senate democratic conference in Albany and has three decades of public service to the people of Westchester.
“I am humbled by the overwhelming support from my colleagues in the Democratic Majority of the Westchester County Board of Legislators, including the members who represent towns cities that I also represent,” said Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, who has made standing up to President Donald Trump and his supporters in Washington and New York State a top priority. She has led the resistance to President Trump’s policies and advanced measures to protect women’s rights, expand firearm safety, increase voting rights and reforms, pass environmental protections, and fight back against the disastrous Trump/GOP tax plan.
“It has been my honor to serve Westchester families as their State Senator, and I have worked hard to represent our communities and values in Albany,” Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins said. “With Trump in the White House and our protections under attack, I have worked tirelessly to invest in our public schools, advance sensible gun laws, stand up for women’s rights and health care, and ensure our vulnerable communities are protected. I will keep up the fight in our State Senate, and with the support of my constituents and Senate Democratic colleagues, I know we will make history next year.”
The Legislators overwhelmingly cited Senator Stewart-Cousins’ experience, record of delivering for her constituents and her willingness to stand up for progressive values as reasons for their support.
“Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins is an outstanding, experienced advocate delivering results every day for the residents of Westchester County to enhance our quality of life. She fights for critical funding for infrastructure, jobs, housing and the environment and has a progressive agenda for pay equity, women’s reproductive rights and human rights for all. I strongly endorse her for the New York State Senate,” said Board Chairman Ben Boykin.
“As Majority Leader for the Westchester Board of Legislators, I know firsthand the importance of working with colleagues who are true to our democratic values. Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins represents all of Westchester with integrity, never trading our values for expediency. Albany needs more Andrea Stewart-Cousins, not less,” said Majority Leader Catherine Parker.
“Time and again Andrea Stewart-Cousins has demonstrated that she has what it takes to lead Democrats in the New York State Senate. Her intelligence, poise and progressive track record on issues that matter — like protecting women’s reproductive rights and standing up for common sense gun legislation make her the best candidate for the job. I endorse her wholeheartedly,” said County Legislator Nancy Barr.
“Andrea Stewart-Cousins is a role model for all public servants. Her leadership, her intelligence, her effectiveness, and her tireless advocacy for the people of Westchester are exemplary. She has my great admiration and my enthusiastic endorsement,” said County Legislator Catherine Borgia.
“Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins has been an outstanding leader in our State, and a superlative representative for our local communities. As leader of the State Senate’s Democratic Caucus, she has fought for the issues and values that most New Yorkers, and most Westchester residents, care about — living wages for our working families; environmental protection; reproductive rights; a good education for our children; and sound infrastructure. She has also been a strong advocate within State government for our local needs, everything from educational funding to safe roads for our drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians,” said County Legislator Mary Jane Shimsky.
In 2012, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins was elected by her Democratic colleagues to serve as the Leader of the Senate Democratic Conference, the first woman in the history of New York to hold a legislative leadership position. With a blue wave sweeping the nation and the Senate Republican Majority holding a razor thin 32-31 margin in the 63-member Chamber, State Senate Democrats are in an excellent position to win a strong and functional Majority this November. When that happens, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins will become the first woman in New York State history to lead a Legislative Chamber, negotiate the State Budget, and determine what legislation is able to advance to the Senate Floor. This historic accomplishment would also mean that the 35th Senate District would be represented by the most powerful Senator in New York.
Some of the Senator’s notable legislative accomplishments include:
- Passing the toughest gun safety laws in the nation by providing the critical votes for the NY SAFE Act
- Bringing the voices of women to the table on issues like pay equity, sexual harassment and reproductive choice
- Leading the fight to raise the minimum wage in New York State to $15/hr
- Fighting for tough ethics reforms like prohibiting outside income for legislators and stripping corrupt elected officials of their pensions.
- Strengthening democracy by passing progressive voting laws and calling for campaign finance reform
Stewart-Cousins was first elected to the State Senate in 2006. Prior to that, she served on the County Board for a decade. Her first set of endorsements point to a problem that her opponent in the democratic primary, Virginia Perez, will have.
“What the endorsement of 12 of the 13 county legislators points to is that Democrats in Westchester are united behind Sen. Stewart-Cousins, except for Virginia Perez,” said one county democrat. “And when you are running in a democratic primary, only democrats vote in the district, and I don’t see the math adding up for Virginia against Andrea.”
The other interesting note in Stewart-Cousins’ announcement was the emphasis on standing up to President Trump and “his supporters in Washington and New York State.” Trump’s supporters in New York State include former Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, who can be seen on CNN almost every night defending President Trump.
“The Stewart-Cousins campaign will be simple. Link Trump to Astorino and Astorino to Virginia Perez,” said another county insider. “Her career on the county board has been working with republicans and with Astorino. All of her Rabbi’s and political advisors were republicans, and all of them told her not to run. She has no confidants inside her campaign. This one is entirely her own doing.”
The 35th Senate District includes the Town of Greenburgh, and parts of White Plains, New Rochelle, Yonkers and Scarsdale.
