Westchester Deputy County Executive Jenkins Endorses Harckham

Westchester Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins has endorsed Pete Harckham for NY State Senate in District 40 for the Democratic primary on September 13, noting Harckham’s record of progressive legislative accomplishments and executive state government experience make him the most capable candidate to win the November election against incumbent Republican State Senator Terrence Murphy.

"I had the pleasure of working with Pete Harckham on the Westchester County Board of Legislators for nearly eight years and I am proud to endorse him for the New York State Senate in the 40th District,” says Jenkins. “His experience as a county legislator and Democratic majority leader will serve his constituents well in the Senate.

“For the four years that I was chair of the board and Pete was the Democratic majority leader we worked closely together on a daily basis,” Jenkins adds. “He never shied away from challenging issues, even when they were politically risky to him, and as our caucus leader he never compromised our Democratic values or principles and always stressed Democratic unity.

“Together we implemented better budgets than those submitted by Astorino, fought housing discrimination, saved childcare and homes from foreclosure, advanced solar initiatives and provided funding for mandated phosphorous reduction in the NYC watershed communities. When the Governor asked Pete to join his Administration to roll out restored CDBG funding, Pete understood how important this funding was to Westchester communities. He brought a unique understanding of Community Development Block Grants and took to the task with extreme professionalism and engagement, as was noted by the stakeholders he worked with. I encourage all Democrats in the 40th District to vote for Pete Harckham for New York State Senate on September 13th,” Jenkins says.

“I am extremely gratified to be endorsed by Deputy County Executive and former Board of Legislators Chair Ken Jenkins, a true progressive champion,” says Harckham. “Having worked with him closely for years, he knows better than anyone the challenges we faced, the obstacles that we overcame and the progressive successes that we shared. I am proud to have earned his trust.”

Jenkins’ endorsement follows Harckham’s endorsement by Westchester Country Executive George Latimer. Additional pre-primary endorsements will be announced soon.

New York State Senate District 40 includes parts of Northern Westchester (Briarcliff Manor, Buchanan, Cortlandt, Croton-on-Hudson, Lewisboro, Mount Kisco, Mount Pleasant, New Castle, North Salem, Peekskill, Pleasantville, Pound Ridge, Sleepy Hollow, Somers, Yorktown) Putnam (Brewster, Carmel, Patterson, Southeast) and Dutchess (Beekman, Pawling).

District residents interested in Harckham’s New York State Senate campaign can visit www.PeteForNY.com, http://www.facebook.com/PeteforNY and @PeteforNY on Twitter and Instagram to learn more, volunteer, or contribute.