RyeCity REVIEW THE
November 10, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 45 | www.ryecityreview.com
Latimer upends Astorino, wins county executive race
Dems knock off Sack, win City Council majority By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer
Photo/Andrew Dapolite
By CHRISTIAN FALCONE Editor-in-Chief Republicans in Westchester didn’t stand a chance on Tuesday night, as a Democratic voter surge culminated with the ushering in of state Sen. George Latimer to the highest elected office in the county. The failed re-election for incumbent County Executive Rob Astorino, a two-term Republican, was decisive and swift. As the results began to pour in shortly after 9 p.m. on Nov. 7, the numbers quickly shifted in Latimer’s favor, and what materialized into a double-digit margin early on never tightened. It was a sobering night at the
polls for Republicans throughout Westchester, who were left to regroup amid fears that the turnout was in direct response to President Donald Trump’s policies. Termed the “Trump effect,” it was too much to overcome even for Astorino, who had defied odds in his previous election victories despite a 2-to-1 voter registration disadvantage for Republicans. According to the unofficial county Board of Elections tallies, Latimer captured 116,767 votes, equating to 57 percent of the popular vote, compared to Astorino’s 89,463 votes, or 43 percent. The turnout shows a stark turnaround from when Astorino successfully won re-election in 2013. With his biggest win to date,
Latimer continues his unbeaten streak of 18 consecutive elections, which started off in 1987 in a run for the Rye City Council. He then successfully worked his way through the Westchester County Board of Legislators and into the New York state Legislature. Latimer has held some level of elected office for 30 years. Joined by a packed house of supporters at the Coliseum White Plains, Latimer offered victory remarks to raucous cheers from the audience. “We are going to run this county well,” he said. “We’re going to run it on progressive values; we’re going to keep your taxes in line, but it’s not going to be
just about taxes.” Latimer said his administration would be about jobs, housing, transportation, health care and also taxes. “We are going to show you in Westchester what we’re going to show you in the nation in three years,” he added, offering a prelude to the 2020 presidential race, “how to run America the right way.” The campaign was hard fought but also full of mudslinging from both sides. Astorino, with a significant war chest, outspent Latimer by a 3-to-1 margin. At the Crowne Plaza White Plains, Astorino awaited the results alongside his supporters. LATIMER continued on page 10
The political tide has turned in Rye. City Republicans were dealt a crushing blow on election night in a lopsided result that swung the balance of power on the City Council to Democrats. Also of note was the defeat of incumbent Republican Mayor Joe Sack, a longtime member of the City Council, who was seeking a second term. Democratic mayoral candidate Josh Cohn scored a resounding victory capturing 61 percent, or 2,724 votes; Sack garnered just 39 percent, or 1,750 votes. Alongside Cohn, Democratic council candidates Julie Souza, Sara Goddard and Ben Stacks also secured decisive wins at the polls. According to unofficial results from the Westchester County Board of Elections, Goddard captured 21 percent of the total votes cast, while Souza and Stacks both won 20 percent. On the Republican side, incumbent Councilman Terry McCartney finished with 13 percent, or 1,749 votes, followed by running mates Elizabeth Parks, who garnered 13 percent, or 1,692 votes, and Susan Watson with 12 percent, or 1,631 votes. The scene at Rosemary and Vine on Purchase Street, which served as the headquarters for the Democratic slate, was celebratory and festive as the polls closed and the final ballots were cast. Shortly after 9 p.m. on Nov. 7, volunteers and supporters of
the Democratic candidates gathered around Cohn, who thanked all in attendance as the numbers began to skew in his team’s favor. “There is a heartwarming reception [to us] from the people of Rye,” Cohn told the Review on election night. “I’m looking forward to serving and I think we should all thank Mayor Joe Sack for his service. In the meantime, we will start planning for January.” Such a celebration played out in most corners of Westchester as the Democratic turnout was exceedingly high. Many viewed the No. 1 reason for that was a repudiation of President Donald Trump and his agenda. Sack, who will leave office at the end of the year after one of the lengthiest political careers in city history, told the Review that he was proud of his service and the campaign his ticket ran. “We congratulate the mayor and council members-elect,” he said, “and offer our full support to ensure that the business of Rye continues for the benefit of all our residents.” The four Democrats will be inMAJORITY continued on page 7
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