By Dan Murphy
With less than 50 days to go before Election Day, the people of Yonkers have not focused on the upcoming races in their city, which include contests for mayor, City Council, County Board and judge. The switch of political parties by councilman John Rubbo consumed a week or two of the political watchers in Yonkers, and there always seems to be another event that makes its way to the front page.
The race for mayor is the big race every four years in Yonkers. This year, Mayor Mike Spano will seek an unprecedented third, four-year term, after the City Council voted to modify term limits last year. Spano’s opponent is republican Mario De Giorgio.
De Giorgio has begun his campaign, and will be attending the McLean Avenue Fall Festival this weekend and hold a fundraiser Oct. 21 at the River’s Edge on McLean Avenue.
De Giorgio has also conducted several interviews online, including an interesting interview with Ru Ros of the Yonkers Voice. Currently, De Giorgio needs to come up with a rationale, or a reason why Yonkers voters should elect him, and not Spano, as mayor Nov. 5.
This will be hard to do when the mayor’s approval is around 70 percent, and most Yonkers voters seem content with the way in which the city has operated under his eight years. Most people do not think De Gorgio has a chance to beat Spano, but he deserves a chance to present his case to the people.
Several City Council races are up for election Nov. 5, but none has any contested opponents. Councilwoman Shanae Williams in the First District, Tasha Diaz in the Third District and Councilman Mike Breen in the Fifth-Sixth District are all running uncontested. Diaz will be the new member of the City Council next year.
The most competitive election in Yonkers on Nov. 5 may be for county legislator in the 14th-15th District, as incumbent Legislator Gordon Burrows from Yonkers will be challenged again by Democrat Ruth Walker, a democrat. The 15th District includes parts of Yonkers and Bronxville.
Burrows was one of only a few republicans that was able to win in 2017 during a “blue wave” of democratic support across the county, defeating Walker 52 to 48 percent. What happens this year in a rematch between the two is unclear, with some believing turnout will be low with no race for county executive, governor or president on top of the ballot to push more democrats to the polls, while others believe it’s only a matter of time before democrats pick off the remaining republican seats on the County Board.
City Council President Mike Khader endorsed Walker this week, saying: “I am excited to support Ruth Walter as she runs for County Legislature. She has been a dedicated community leader and activist for years, and I know she will bring that same passion and energy to the County Legislature. Ruth is a tireless fighter for the environment, taxpayers and small businesses. I urge everyone to support her on Nov. 5.”
Democrats currently hold a 13-4 super-majority on the County Board, and two of the three other BOL seats in Yonkers, held by Legislators Christopher Johnson and David Tubiolo – both who do not have any opposition.
Speculation continues on whether Tubiolo, one of the remaining republicans on the County Board, will switch parties and become a democrat. Most believe it’s not a question of whether Tubiolo will switch, but when. After Election Day seems like the most appropriate time.
County Legislator Virginia Perez chose not to run for re-election this year in the 17th District, representing southwest Yonkers. Former County Legislator Jose Alvarado won the democratic primary and will now return to the County Board, having no opponent Nov. 5.
There is also a contested race for City Court judge this year, and an open seat on the court. Democrat Elena Goldberg-Velazquez is running against former City Court Judge Richard Sweeny, who is seeking to return to the court. Sweeney, a republican, was appointed to fill a vacancy on the court by former Mayor Phil Amicone.
Let the election countdown begin, and remember this election that Yonkers and all of New York State has early voting. In Yonkers, voters can vote early at the Will Library and Riverfront Library.
