“A Man of the People”… “A Man of his Word”
County Executive George Latimer is a regular in North Castle, attending local events, patronizing local businesses and restaurants, and investing in local infrastructure. “North Castle has great diversity and a topnotch workforce,” according to Latimer, who credits North Castle’s police, fire, and sanitation workers, amongst others, with keeping the community running smoothly.
It was Latimer’s investment in the North Castle community that resulted in the restoration of North White Plains’ historic museum, the Elijah Miller House, once used by General George Washington as headquarters during the Revolutionary War.
But Miller House is just one example of Latimer’s commitment to bettering Westchester County. He is a regular throughout the County, and as author, blogger, and North Castle resident Marlene Fischer, points out, “He listens, shows up, and most importantly, cares about the people of Westchester County.”
Latimer, a Mount Vernon native who grew up in a working-class family, boasts an over 30-year career in public service in Westchester County. A life-long Democrat with a results-oriented mindset, he served Westchester in multiple capacities, including City Councilman, County Legislator, Assemblyman, and State Senator representing the 37th District – before he was elected as County Executive in 2018.
As County Executive, Latimer invests significantly in supporting Westchester’s diverse community. “George Latimer is a man of the people,” notes Pleasantville’s Francesca Hagadus, a retired teacher in the Chappaqua Central School District.
dedicated to bridging gaps throughout the county. Hagadus calls him “a unifier.” He allotted over $3 million to support neighborhood health centers in Greenburgh, Ossining, and Peekskill. He made affordable housing options more available, investing over $90 million over the past year to build over 2500 units throughout Yonkers and New Rochelle. Throughout his tenure, he rebuilt the Wilson Woods pool and Memorial Field in Mount Vernon and refurbished the New Rochelle Family Court facility.
Human Rights Commission Focus
“I’m committed to making substantive changes, not just with rhetoric, not just with words, but with deeds,” Latimer states. He revived Westchester’s Human Rights Commission, a 25-year-old committee that needed a reboot. Latimer sees this Commission as Westchester’s “single most important force in dealing with prejudice against Black, Asian, Jewish, LGBTQIA+, Latino, and Muslim members of our community.” To support economically diverse community members, Latimer spearheaded a law that ensures free legal support to those facing eviction.
Latimer is a man of his word. As Dawn Greenberg, New Castle resident and founder of the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival, points out, “He doesn’t just make campaign promises, he follows through. Almost immediately after his first term swearing-in as County Executive, he fulfilled a campaign pledge that was important to me and so many other Westchester County residents. He banned gun shows at the County Center.”
As a lifelong Westchester resident, Latimer has seen the enormous population growth in the county throughout his 30-year career. “We’re investing a lot to stay ahead of the curve. The usage of infrastructure, the wear and tear on services, is just perpetual, requiring a constant, dedicated investment.” In response to this “wear and tear,” Latimer dedicated resources and funds to repaving roads and bridges, including the North Castle bridge on Route 22 that leads to the Bronx River Parkway and Central Avenue. As part of Latimer’s commitment to capital projects, he renovated the historic Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse in Kingsland Point Park and modernized sewer trunk lines and treatment plans throughout the county.
Going forward, Latimer notes that the County Center, which was built in 1930 and last renovated approximately 40 years ago, needs an update. He’s also committed to updating Westchester County Airport. A staunch environmentalist, Latimer hopes to fully electrify the bus system, a project he’s made a priority over the past few years.
Stimulating Westchester’s Job Market
Latimer is also responsible for stimulating the job market within the county. In 2024, he budgeted over $250 million into economic development programs for minority and women owned business enterprises (MWBE), providing a helping hand so that they can grow and thrive. Latimer also provided $8 million for economic development and his administration conducts job fairs designed to match businesses to potential employees.
Creating more job opportunities for residents is particularly beneficial as Westchester County opens its doors to over 400 immigrants who are now residing in Yonkers, White Plains, and Ardsley. When it came to welcoming new people into the county, Latimer employed “a humanitarian approach. We managed welcoming immigrants in a reasonable way, making sure they received proper healthcare and vaccinations when they arrived and making sure they feel safe and welcome in their new community, with no crime issues.”
Robert Fleisher, New Castle resident and administrator of Facebook’s “New Castle Politics and Policy” page credits Latimer with “significantly raising the bar in terms of constituent engagement. Whether he agrees with you or not, his administration is very accessible.” Hagadus agrees, “He knows every municipality, attends every local Democratic Committee meeting, stands at train stations with candidates, and comes to local festivals and farmers’ markets.”
It’s these personal qualities, coupled with his exceptional record of service, that have many Westchester residents enthusiastically supporting Latimer’s run for the NY-16 Congressional seat. Greenberg believes that Latimer’s “tireless energy and willingness to listen to all citizens, his strong understanding of how to get the job done for the betterment of our community, and his knowledge across all levels of government will benefit his congressional constituents. He’s a public servant in the best sense of the term.”
Latimer is endorsed by 10 local Democratic committees, including Eastchester, Rye City, Rye Town, White Plains, Pelham, Mamaroneck, Harrison, Scarsdale, and Yonkers, as well as the Civil Service Employees Association, amongst others.
Running on his Record & Rejecting Identity Politics
Latimer is running for Congress on his record and for his commitment to bettering the lives of Westchester’s residents. “I’m practical-minded. I don’t need to go to Washington to give speeches about societal trends. Others might try to turn this race into identity politics, but I’m not into that.” Instead, Latimer intends to hyper-focus on the needs in the 16th district, from affordable housing and creating job opportunities to greener transportation and reducing our carbon footprint. He believes it is important to work across the aisle to make progress and sees vilifying Republicans as counterproductive. “My intent is to focus on legislation and funding that will help my constituents.”
Ultimately, Latimer shows up and gets results for the residents of Westchester County. He’s a regular guy, a guy who’s committed to social justice and environmental issues, a guy who’s committed to creating jobs and making sure that the Westchester community thrives, and a guy who’s a lifelong Democrat with a record of health funding for residents in need and completing capital projects like the Sprain Ridge Pool in Yonkers.
As he embarks on his congressional race, he remains forward-focused and staunchly dedicated to the Westchester community. “I have a long-established record of accomplishments, and if you think I can take NY-16 in the right direction in the future, vote for me.”
