By Dan Murphy
Most of the Westchester electorate are as divided as the rest of our country, with democrats holding the majority in voter registration and in most governmets, but republicans still in control of several Towns across the county. But in a close election, 10% of the remaining independent voters will pick the winner.
Four years ago, George Latimer defeated Rob Astorino for County Executive by a 57%-43% margin. In 2020 President Donald Trump lost Westchester by a 67%-32% margin. Will the 2021 results be closer to 2017 or 2020?
Christine Sculti, the republican candidate for County Executive, has actively campaigned in republican towns, highlighting her support of a group opposed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion education in school districts, and using the same playbook from our former President.
Sculti, like most republicans, supported President Trump, but that should not disqualify anyone in Westchester from holding office. But anyone with a Trump photo in their archives should be prepared to explain their support of Trump. Democrats will keep playing the same strategy until it doesn’t work. That is the dilemna that many republicans have in New York, where Trump got only 32% in Westchester last year.
Sculti’s support of Save Our Schools Westchester, which is founded by her mother, Angela Sculti, raises an issue that is not under the control of county government. But Sculti will receive a block of votes from the same voters who support opposition to what has certainly been a controversial issue across the country.
Sculti’s refusal to debate, and her recent lawsuit claiming serious personal injuries while campaigning actively for County Executive, don’t add any credibility to her effort. We have endorsed Latimer for re-election
The biggest County Board race in Westchester is in the 15th District (Bronxville and East Yonkers) between democrat Legislator Ruth Walter and her republican opponent James Nolan. This contest will be determined by turnout, and which side gets their voters to the polls or cast their vote by mail.
James Nolan has run a spirited campaign for county board. We applaud Nolan for his volunteerism in the community during COVID, and his work to help those who need it, and for his ability to turn a horrible event for his family, the shooting death of his brother, into a positive by creating a foundation in his name that also serves the community.
But that is not enough to warrant election to the county board. Ruth Walter is a thoughtful, hard working legislator, who has suggested new ideas while working to make sure that constituents in her district get their fair share of county budget dollars.
Walter has also shown herself to be willing to listen to all people in her district, including those who live in Yonkers, and she did not forget them during the pandemic.
We believe that Walter has done more in two years than her predecessor over several years. One initiative we appreciate is her work to examine whether communities unhappy with the loud cars at night, from illegal mufflers or drag racing, should be helped by ticketing more drivers by placing noise-devices on hot spot roadways.
Most of these issues, like making sure that county capital tax dollars go into her district, are not sexy political topics, but they are the nuts and bolts that help improve people’s lives.
There are some things that County government can’t do because it is not under their power of government. Nolan has suggested that he will work on some issues county government can’t help with.
But the biggest issue in this race has become, the issue that has plauged our county and our country for the past year and a half-COVID and vaccinations.
Nolan has said that he is not vaccinated, but has not explained adequately enough why that is. He said he had COVID and beat COVID, but many county residents who had COVID have also been vaccinated. Read a letter from Dennis Richmond on the topic
Over 90% of eligible Westchester residents have received a COVID vaccine, and as Walter points out, it is the role of a leader in our communities to explain that all of us need to get vaccinated in order for our society to return to some form of normal, and to protect those of us who are immue compromised.
We endorse Ruth Walter, for County Legislator 15th District.
For republicans, there is a way to walk the fine line between the shadow of former President Trump and serving your local community and winning election. Two examples of that are Eastchester Supervisor Tony Colavita and Yorktown Supervisor Matt Slater. We have already endorsed Colavita and his town council candidates for re-election. Supervisor Slater in Yorktown is running without opposition, which is a mistake in our view, of Yorktown Democrats.
One of the reasons cited as why Yorktown Democrats didn’t run a candidate for Supervisor was that they hoped that it would decrease the number of voters in town if there wasn’t a supervisor’s race. We don’t agree with that logic, for if the same were true on the county level, then republicans shouldn’t have run a candidate against George Latimer for County Executive.
In our view, not running a candidaate for Supervisor shows a surrender or sorts in this election cycle, and puts the two qualified democrats running for Town Board in jeopardy, one is an incumbent, the other a former Supervisor.
We understand and agree with the view of many that Matt Slater is a rising star in Westchester politics and would be tough to beat this year. But you have to step into the political arena and give it your best shot. That didn’t happen.
Slater’s wife, Kelly, also wrote a thougtful letter to the editor about her husband’s service to the community. Llike this reporter, Slater graduated from Yorktown High School and returned home to live and raise a family, but also to serve and give back. Note to Westchrester, look out for Matt Slater.
Harrison is the other town with a big election. Two councilmembers, republican Rich Dioniso, and democrat Frank Gordon, are looking to replace Mayor Ron Belmont, who is retired. We will let the voters decide on who wins, but we are not happy with the lack of progress made in Harrison over whether to Opt-Out of Marijuana dispensiaries and cafes. We have heard from MANY members of Harrison who want the board to consider this and take a vote. Why that hasn’t happened we have no idea. Many other smaller Westchester communities have already opted-out.
