By Dan Murphy
Westchester’s two congressmen, Rep. George Latimer-NY-16 and Rep. Mike Lawler-NY-17, are set to appear at an event organized by Shames JCC on the Hudson, a non-sectarian community center, that enriches the greater community through social, recreational, educational, social action, supportive service, wellness, and cultural programs and resources guided by Jewish values.
On Sunday, June 7. Titled “Navigating Global Challenges Across the Aisle,
The overview reads: Come hear Congressman George Latimer and Mike Lawler share their views on foreign policy challenges.
Congress faces unprecedented challenges-from navigating complex alliances to responding to emergency threats. Political leaders are negotiating US involvement in global affairs from diverse perspectives. Come hear an in-depth conversation with Rep. Latimer and Rep. Lawler as they share their perspectives on the state of U S foreign policy, how Congress is addressing the international landscape, and their views on the best way forward on issues including international trade and economy, the wars in Iran and Ukraine, relations with China, and more.
In years past, this type of event would have happened without discussion. But in today’s hyper-partisan climate, even such a civil dialogue between Westchester’s two House representatives cannot go unchallenged.
We received texts and emails last week from some of our friends in Indivisible Westchester about the event, criticizing Latimer for attending it with Lawler. “Big mistake on George’s part to do this. On the eve of the Democratic Primary in NY-17, no less.”
Rep. Latimer was invited by JCC-Shames in Tarrytown to speak at this event more than a month ago. Rep. Lawler was also invited and accepted. One rationale for inviting both Congressmen (although no rationale is really needed; if you can get both to your event, it’s a win) is that Tarrytown is the only jurisdiction that both Latimer and Lawler share.
In May of 2025, Latimer and Lawler attended a Business Council of Westchester event where both discussed issues affecting the business community, federal budget cuts, tariffs, Medicaid, and energy policy.
Some democrats have raised objections to Latimer attending an event with Lawler.
The Orangetown Democratic Committee posted, “Please call George Latimer’s office today to urge him to cancel his joint appearance on Sunday with Mike Lawler. Trump is helicoptering into Rockland on Friday to boost Lawler’s reelection chances, and we should all be leaning in on equating Mike with MAGA. Latimer has made strong statements about wanting to win back the House, but this joint appearance normalizes Lawler, who will definitely manipulate it for his campaign. Ask George why he is contributing to Lawler’s claim to be “moderate”/
Another comment, which is clearly an across-the-board attempt to get Latimer to cancel, reads, “Rep. George Latimer hasn’t had a town hall but is having an event with MAGA Republican Mike Lawler. Tell him to cancel and focus on taking back the House.”
Many other Westchester democrats we spoke to didn’t see a problem with Latimer attending an event with Lawler. “I have watched George Latimer debate Rob Astorino and Jamaal Bowman over the past 30 years. He is second to none. Lawler is also a great communicator, and both will clearly point out issues where they disagree. Why would progressives want to give Lawler the stage to himself? How does that help our democratic party cause, which is to beat Lawler in November and take back the House,” said Westchester Democrat Mitchell Tarnopal.
“There is a silent majority of democrats who are not afraid of George debating Lalwer. In fact, they want to see it and hear George stand up for the democratic values we are fighting for, and the values we will work on in November to defeat Lawler.”
We spoke to Congressman Latimer, who said, “I’ve accepted literally hundreds of requests to attend community organizations and speak on a variety of issues. I saw this one no differently; we may agree on some things and disagree on others, and I would always make my case forcefully but with respect.
However, I did not intend to get roped into a political firestorm. I’ll be in contact with the event organizers in the next few days and will advise all of the results of that conversation.”
We see our Westchester readers split on this issue. There are those on the left, Indivisible, who don’t want Latimer to attend. But there are also Westchester democrats who want Latimer to have the discussion.
But there are also those of us who want the discussion, primarily to hear both views and to hear these articulate politicians express theirs.
The real question for all democrats in NY-16 and NY-17 is: Would having Latimer sit down and discuss issues with Lawler benefit Lawler in his reelection bid in NY-17?
Lawler has said it best again and again recently, and in the days before Trump came to Rockland County last week. “If Trump is your #1 issue, then you are not voting for me.”
1300 have already registered to attend the now SOLD OUT event.