By Dan Murphy
In a wide-ranging interview on WVOX Radio 1460 AM, with Phil Reisman and Matt Richter, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano said that Congressman Jamaal Bowman’s “political philosophy is not in line with the people that live here” and said that he was “looking at” a possible challenge to Bowman in a democratic primary this June.
“He’s tough for Westchester and tough for Yonkers,” said Spano, explaining that Bowman’s far left, progressive philosophy is difficult for most Westchester democrats to accept and agree with.
“They should have arrested him (Bowman) for his no vote on infrastructure. I’m a hardcore moderate in the middle, and that is where most of us are and end up. But the democratic party over the past two year has been pushed to the left, and the reforms, like bail reform, have gone too far.”
“We all agreed to do something about bail reform and the affect that it has in the minority community, but the left took control and were tone deaf to anything else, and did what they wanted without the input from Mayor’s, District Attorneys, or Judges. The democratic party is much more moderate that what we are seeing.”
Several factors will play into Spano’s decision, or his “look” at he called it of challenging Bowman. First, his friend, DPW Commissioner and Yonkers Democratic Chair Tom Meier, is about to announce his candidacy, and has told democrats in Yonkers that he is running. So something will have to be worked out if Spano is serious.
Next, the new Congressional district lines in Bowman’s 16th District have been drawn, and passed by demcorats in the state senate. The 16th District, now runs further north into northern westchester and parts of Putnam County. Most of the Bronx part of the district has been drawn out, making it a much more moderate democratic district that would be appealling to Spano or Meier.
“I’m looking at it but I really like being Mayor of Yonkers. But don’t let anyone think that means a 4th term. I want to finish my last two years. Tom Meier would be a great candidate to run against the congressman in a new district. Nobody knew him (Bowman) before he won, and he lived in Yonkers.”
Spano was on the Reisman-Richter Radio Show on WVOX to discuss the Westchester renewable energy program in Yonkers, which has become a political hot potato in recent days. Spano explained the issue well, with the bottom line that the renewable rate of energy offered by Westchester Power is currently cheaper than Con Ed, who has asked for a 17% increase in rates.
