By Debbie Kozak
Word has no doubt by now spread far and wide of what a catastrophic fiasco last week’s (Feb. 19) extremely-short-advance-notice Yonkers Republican City Committee’s Nominating Convention ultimately turned out to be…and still is.
For those who missed it, more than 50 GOP Ward and District Leaders, including two City Councilmen and one County Legislator, turned out to nominate, second and listen to earnest speeches from half-a-dozen candidates before casting roll-call votes – only to learn more than two hours into the evening event that it was suddenly being adjourned for lack of a quorum.
And in fact, the electoral fate of every one of these would-be nominees continues to be undecided (defeated by their own party?). ‘With Republicans like these, who needs Democrats?’ one participant quipped.
While no official explanation has yet been published, word of mouth that night was that one of the Ward or District Leaders failed to show up with his or her required list of proxies.
It has since been learned that a hoped-for ‘do-over’ convention on Feb. 27 that was hastily announced that evening…may not take place after all.
So, stay tuned…who knows what’ll happen next?
OKAY, SO WHAT COMES NEXT?
Do Republicans in Yonkers not have a right to expect not only better and more diligent performance on the part of a committee whose primary responsibility is to make the nominating process clear, smooth and foolproof?
WELL, HELL YES, we do, and – given the uncertainty that unfortunately continues to be so apparently carelessly exhibited, we believe the time has come – sadly but frankly – for a change in leadership.
The Yonkers Republican Party has suffered tremendous setbacks over the years, largely due to defections from our own ranks. Candidates like John Rubbo and David Tubiolo, who were elected as Republicans, abandoned their principles and switched to the Democratic Party for personal gain. Even some former Republican leaders followed this shameful trend, weakening our party instead of standing their ground and fighting for the values they once claimed to uphold. Worse yet, past Republican leadership did nothing to stop this betrayal, allowing the party to wither under their watch.
These defections and failures have delivered a near-fatal blow to the Yonkers Republican Party. Every year, things deteriorate further as Democrat Mayor Mike Spano consolidates his power, using taxpayer dollars to buy influence and silence opposition. Many of those who should be defending our party have instead been compromised, turning the Yonkers Republican Party into little more than a paper organization.
But imagine a different future—one where the Yonkers Republican Party breaks free from Spano’s grip and rebuilds itself into a true political force. A party that reorganizes across the city, stands firm in its principles, and gives voters a real choice in every election. The Democrats have worked relentlessly to eliminate the few strong Republican areas left in Yonkers, but we cannot allow them to succeed.
The first step toward revival is removing those within our own party who have been compromised by Democratic influence. We must replace them with true Republicans—leaders who will fight, not surrender. We need candidates who will stand up to the Democratic machine and give taxpayers a real opportunity to vote for change.
This is not the time for despair. It is time to take action. The destruction of the Yonkers Republican Party is not inevitable—if we stand together, we can rebuild, we can fight, and we can win.
The future of our city depends on it. Never give up. The fight starts now.
The NW Yonkers Republican Club’s mission is to grow MEMBERSHIP in the Republican party and make sure our elected representatives decisions align with the interests of our community —- And also to have us in the back of their minds when they make crucial votes that concern our area.
By Debbie Kozak, President, John P. O’Leary NW Yonkers Republican Club and 2023 Republican Candidate Westchester County Legislator District 16 (Yonkers).
