2021 Candidate Profile: Latimer Seeks Second Term As County Exec

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, 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 concerns and will publish profiles as election day draws near.

George Latimer is seeking re-election as Westchester County Executive. His opponent is political newcomer Christine Sculti.

Latimer, 67, has a deep knowledge of the county from his years in local politics, including on the Rye City Council, Westchester County Legislature, New York State Assembly and New York State Senate.

Learn more about his campaign on his website.

Check out Patch's full Q&A with George Latimer:

Why are you seeking elective office?

When I took office four years ago, Westchester was plagued by fiscal mismanagement, stalled projects, and an ideologically led government. From the moment I was sworn in as County Executive, we got to work. We cut County Property taxes twice, reduced the County’s capital project backlog, increased bond rating, & governed inclusively working closely with all local municipalities. I am running for re-election to continue the progress we have made - together.

The single most pressing issue facing our county is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

We need to build back stronger from COVID-19. Since the outbreak began, we worked closely with local small businesses, chambers of commerce, & schools to find ways to safely re-open and return to life as we knew it. If re-elected, I will continue this progress and implement innovative economic development programs - focused on small businesses and growing start-ups, follow the science and implement smart public health initiatives that aim to keep us safe and prepared for the future, & continue our work strengthening our County’s infrastructure so our communities, small businesses, and residents can thrive.

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

I am proud to put my record of results up against any rhetoric offered by the other side. The truth is, while the talking points offered by my opponent attempt to say otherwise, crime is down in Westchester County, the Census numbers and housing market show our population is on the rise, we cut County Property taxes twice and put Westchester back on stable financial footing, & have passed legislation to advance affordable housing and protect our environment for future generations.

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

My Administration took on the challenge of COVID-19 from day one. We opened mass testing sites, communicated openly and honestly with the public each day, worked closely with local small businesses and provided grants so they can purchase supplies necessary to keep their customers and employees safe - and once vaccines were available - we opened mass vaccination sites, satellite pop-up locations in vaccine-hesitant communities, and worked with Schools so teachers can get back into school and our children back in the classroom. Westchester now has a nearly 90% vaccination rate, our economy is recovering, & students are back in school. I look forward to continuing this response if re-elected.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

During my four years as County Executive, we have produced real results, not rhetoric. We cut County Property taxes, had our credit rating raised, passed legislation advancing our shared values and protecting our environment, and led Westchester through the pandemic.

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

Fixed Westchester's fiscal mess -

• Brought fiscal sanity to Westchester, ending one-shot fiscal gimmicks
• Cut County Property taxes twice
• Restored Westchester's Bond Rating to a "Stable" outlook
• Funded an ambitious infrastructure program fixing roads and bridges, enhancing the County's park system, and completing long stalled projects like the Sprain Ridge Pool complex, the Historic Miller House, and a new New Rochelle Family Court.

Lead through the COVID-19 pandemic -

• Provided daily, factual information to the public with each new development at the height of the outbreak
• Opened testing sites early-on and provided at home testing at beginning of outbreak
• Provided small business aid, food assistance, and mortgage & rental assistance to Westchester residents
• Worked closely with local governments to set up both mass and pop-up vaccines sites
• Worked closely with local school districts to get all teachers vaccinated and students back in the classroom

Advanced our shared values -

• Signed legislation banning Gun Shows on County property
• Brought Earned Sick Leave to Westchester's workforce
• Signed legislation outlawing the use of "Conversion" Therapy
• Increased funding for child care in the County's Operating Budget
• Led the way with Police Departments, Experts, & Advocates creating programs like 911 Mental Health Diversion programs

Protecting our Environment -

• Electrifying the County's car & bus fleets
• Enhanced County green spaces
• Upgrading Environmental Facilities
• Creation of County-wide food scrap recycling program, reducing food scraps entering our waste stream

The best advice ever shared with me was:

As a young man, I had a weekly algebra quiz in math class. One night, as I was studying and groaning to my father about the quizzes, he turned to me and said “weekly test? Get ready, in life you will be tested every day.”

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

While I have served this County my entire career, especially these last four as County Executive, and led through both victories and challenges - like COVID-19 - for our community, I am still the kid from a poor neighborhood in the South Side of Mount Vernon. I carry that mindset with me every day. When we as a County Government, serving over one million people, make decisions, I always keep in mind how they will impact the daily lives of all who call Westchester home. Infrastructure, COVID-19 response, affordable housing, environmental protections, public safety, & economic development plans must be made with all residents in mind. And that is what I do every day.