Candidate Profile: Lauren S. Carter For City Council In 2021

MOUNT VERNON, NY - In 2021's general election, residents of the Hudson Valley will be voting for local officials. In anticipation, Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Lauren Carter is seeking election to the Mount Vernon City Council in November. The 44-year-old former deputy city clerk is a Democrat running as an endorsed by the Working Families Party candidate. She holds an Executive Master of Urban Planning and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Political Science.

Learn more about her on laurenforcitycouncil.com

Check out Patch's full Q&A with Carter:

Why are you seeking elective office?

To bring experience, skills, education, competence, and ideas to Mount Vernon.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Improving the quality of life for all constituents

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Experience. Also, I did not accept campaign donations from lobbyists and special interest groups.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

They have not been involved in the community. One is on the library board which is being investigated by the Westchester County District Attorney.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

The response was fair. I would have done more to help businesses. Many businesses in the city have closed and will not reopen. A great majority of those were Black-owned businesses.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Advocating for greater investment in public safety; drafting an economic development plan; work with all stakeholders to improve services for youth and seniors.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have a track record of working effectively with internal and external teams. I worked with the team that completed the draft of the 2011 comprehensive plan. I also worked with a team that generated over $1 million in revenue from the movie industry.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Fear God, stay humble, respect people.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I believe I am the most qualified for the position. I have been working in the community since I was a teenager. I am running to help the city, not to get a title or money.

Find information about absentee and early voting here: Election 2021: New Systems For Early Voting In Westchester
To find all your candidates, as well as statewide, county and local propositions, follow the links offered by the Board of Elections:

• View the 2021 General Election Candidates List.
• View the 2021 General Election State Propositions.
• View the 2021 General Election County and Local Propositions.