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George Latimer (New York politician)

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George Latimer
Latimer in 2023
Member-elect of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 16th district
Assuming office
January 3, 2025
SucceedingJamaal Bowman
9th County Executive of Westchester County
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 1, 2018
DeputyKen Jenkins
Preceded byRob Astorino
Member of the New York Senate
from the 37th district
In office
January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2017
Preceded bySuzi Oppenheimer
Succeeded byShelley Mayer
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the 91st district
In office
January 1, 2005 – December 31, 2012
Preceded byRonald Tocci
Succeeded bySteven Otis
Member of the
Westchester County Board of Legislators
from the 7th district
In office
January 1, 1992 – December 31, 2004
Preceded byDiane A. Keane
Succeeded byJudy Myers
Personal details
Born
George Stephen Latimer

(1953-11-22) November 22, 1953 (age 70)
Mount Vernon, New York, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationFordham University (BA)
New York University (MPA)
OccupationMarketing executive, politician
ProfessionFinancial analyst
WebsiteCampaign website

George Stephen Latimer (born November 22, 1953) is an American Democratic Party politician serving as County Executive in Westchester County, New York since 2018.

Prior to his election as County Executive, he served in the New York State Senate for the 37th District from 2013 to 2017. He has also served on the Rye city council, in the Westchester County legislature, and in the New York State Assembly. He ran successfully for County Executive in 2017, unseating incumbent Republican Rob Astorino.[1][2]

In 2024, Latimer defeated incumbent Congressman Jamaal Bowman in the Democratic primary for the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 16th Congressional District.

Early life and career

Latimer was born in Mount Vernon, New York on November 22, 1953, to Stanley and Loretta (née Miner) Latimer.[3] He attended and graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1970.[4] He commuted to Fordham University in the Bronx and graduated with a B.A. in 1974. He asked his father for a loan to get his Master's Degree in Public Administration (MPA) from New York University's Wagner School.[3] While earning his graduate degree he worked part-time as a budget analyst at Fordham. After graduating in 1976, he took the position of housing coordinator, setting up Section 8 housing in Mount Vernon. “I discovered an affinity for government work, and I paid my father back,” he said.[5]

He later worked for two decades as a marketing executive in the hospitality industry for major organizations, including subsidiaries of Nestlé and ITT.[6]

Political career

Early elections

Latimer first ran for public office in 1987; he won a seat on the Rye City Council, finishing first in a field of 6 major party candidates.[3] Latimer was elevated in 1991 to the Westchester County Board of Legislators, the first-ever Democrat to win the 7th District seat representing the City of Rye, Village of Larchmont, and Mamaroneck Town and Village.[7] Latimer was re-elected in 1993, 1995, and 1997;[8] in January 1998, Democrats won a majority of seats in the County Board for the first time in 90 years. Latimer was elected to chair the board, and was the first Democrat ever to do so. He was re-elected to his legislative seat in 1999, and served a second term as chairman from 2000 to 2001.[9]

Latimer did not seek a third term as chair in 2002, having been re-elected to a sixth term in the Westchester County Legislature. Westchester County Democrats elected him County Democratic Party Chairman in September 2002, where he served for a two-year term.[10]

New York State Assembly

After winning re-election to the County Legislature in 2003, Latimer sought and won a seat in the New York State Assembly in 2004, serving until 2012.[11] In the Assembly, Latimer represented the 91st District, which included the Sound Shore communities of New Rochelle, Rye Brook, and Port Chester alongside the communities of his County Legislative District.

New York State Senate

In 2012, Latimer ran for the New York State Senate in the 37th District against Republican Bob Cohen following the retirement of Senator Suzi Oppenheimer (D). Following his election in 2012, Latimer was reelected in 2014 and 2016 serving from 2013 to 2017.[12][13][14][15]

Westchester County Executive

In 2017, Latimer challenged Republican incumbent Rob Astorino for Westchester County Executive.

During the campaign, Astorino called for Latimer to "step down from the state Senate's Education Committee because he missed the state budget vote..."[16] The Latimer campaign, in turn, accused Astorino of receiving a sweetheart deal on a Rolex watch due to his relationship with a businessman who had pleaded guilty to fraud charges; Latimer's campaign called for Astorino's resignation based on the allegations.[17][18]

Latimer defeated Astorino by 14 points despite being outspent over 3-to-1 by Astorino's campaign.[2][1]

On November 2, 2021, Latimer was re-elected to a second term as County Executive.[19]

As County Executive, Latimer explored purchasing the land around Pocantico Lake Park to create a new county park.[20]

2024 congressional campaign

See also: 2024 United States House of Representatives elections in New York § District 16

In December 2023, Latimer announced that he was running for the United States House of Representatives in 2024, challenging incumbent Jamaal Bowman in the June 25 primary for the Democratic nomination in New York's 16th congressional district.[21]

Latimer has received high-profile endorsements for his campaign including from Hillary Clinton, a resident of Chappaqua in Westchester County, former area representatives Eliot Engel and Nita Lowey, and most state legislators representing the district.[22][23] During the campaign, multiple news outlets reported on the "record-breaking" levels of outside spending in Latimer's favor.[24] The loss was seen as a major defeat for the progressive wing of the party against its more moderate wing represented by Latimer.[25][24]

Electoral results

New York 91st Assembly District, 2004 General Election[26]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic George S. Latimer 26,978 64.3
Independence George S. Latimer 1,214 2.9
Working Families George S. Latimer 721 1.7
Total George S. Latimer 28,913 68.9
Republican Vincent J. Malfetano 12,257 29.2
Conservative Vincent J. Malfetano 793 1.9
Total Vincent J. Malfetano 13,050 31.1
Total votes 41,963 100.0
Democratic hold
New York 91st Assembly District, 2006 General Election[27]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic George S. Latimer 19,521 89.4
Independence George S. Latimer 1,410 6.5
Working Families George S. Latimer 899 4.1
Total George S. Latimer (incumbent) 21,830 100.0
Total votes 21,830 100.0
Democratic hold
New York 91st Assembly District, 2008 General Election[28]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic George S. Latimer 29,105 65.1
Independence George S. Latimer 1,754 3.9
Working Families George S. Latimer 1,027 2.3
Total George S. Latimer (incumbent) 31,886 71.3
Republican Rob Blagi 11,850 26.5
Conservative Rob Blagi 966 2.2
Total Rob Blagi 12,816 28.7
Total votes 44,702 100.0
Democratic hold
New York 91st Assembly District, 2010 General Election[29]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic George S. Latimer 18,704 59.9
Independence George S. Latimer 1,531 4.9
Working Families George S. Latimer 977 3.1
Total George S. Latimer (incumbent) 21,212 68.0
Republican Bill Reed 8,759 28.1
Conservative Bill Reed 1,246 4.0
Total Bill Reed 10,005 32.0
Total votes 31,217 100.0
Democratic hold
New York 37th Senatorial District, 2012 General Election[30]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic George S. Latimer 61,010 51.3
Working Families George S. Latimer 3,226 2.7
Total George S. Latimer 64,236 54.0
Republican Bob Cohen 48,125 40.5
Conservative Bob Cohen 4,522 3.8
Independence Bob Cohen 1,927 1.6
Total Bob Cohen 54,574 46.0
Write-ins Write-in 40 negligible
Total votes 118,850 100
Democratic hold
New York 37th Senatorial District, 2014 General Election[31]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic George S. Latimer 34,850 47.7
Working Families George S. Latimer 3,242 4.4
Total George S. Latimer (incumbent) 38,092 52.2
Republican Joseph L. Dillon 29,151 39.9
Conservative Joseph L. Dillon 4,572 6.2
Independence Joseph L. Dillon 1,190 1.6
Total Joseph L. Dillon 34,913 47.8
Write-ins Write-in 28 negligible
Total votes 73,033 100.0
Democratic hold
New York 37th Senatorial District, 2016 General Election[32]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic George S. Latimer 69,420 52.8
Working Families George S. Latimer 2,815 2.1
Women's Equality George S. Latimer 881 0.7
Total George S. Latimer (incumbent) 73,116 55.7
Republican Julie Killian 50,713 38.6
Conservative Julie Killian 5,216 4.0
Independence Julie Killian 1,809 1.4
Reform Julie Killian 426 0.3
Total Julie Killian 58,164 44.3
Write-ins Write-in 119 negligible
Total votes 131,399 100.0
Democratic hold
Westchester County Executive, 2017 Democratic Primary Election[33]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic George S. Latimer 24,466 62.6
Democratic Ken Jenkins 14,316 36.7
Total votes 39,057 100.0
2017 Westchester County Executive election
Party Candidate Votes Percentage
Democratic George S. Latimer 116,834 53.2%
Working Families George S. Latimer 4,034 1.8%
Independence George S. Latimer 2,214 1.0%
Women's Equality George S. Latimer 960 0.4%
Reform George S. Latimer 231 0.1%
Total George S. Latimer 124,273 56.6%
Republican Rob Astorino 82,929 37.8%
Conservative Rob Astorino 12,441 5.7%
Total Rob Astorino (incumbent) 95,370 43.4%
Majority 28,903 13.2%
Totals 219,643 100.0%
Democratic gain from Republican
2021 Westchester County Executive election
Party Candidate Votes Percentage
Democratic George S. Latimer 89,277 58.4%
Working Families George S. Latimer 5,556 3.6%
Total George S. Latimer (incumbent) 94,833 62.0%
Republican Christine Sculti 56,136 36.7%
Conservative Christine Sculti 1,933 1.3%
Total Christine Sculti 58,069 38.0%
Totals 152,902 100.0%
Democratic hold
New York 16th Congressional District, 2024 Democratic Primary Election[34]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic George Latimer 45,430 58.69
Democratic Jamaal Bowman (incumbent) 31,983 41.31
Total votes 77,413 100.0

Personal life

Latimer and his wife, Robin Phelps Latimer, are the parents of a daughter, Meagan.[35] He met his wife in the 1970s while he was working in sales for Stouffer's in White Plains, New York.[5]

In 2019, Latimer faced a lawsuit following a July 2017 car crash in New Rochelle. The collision occurred when Latimer failed to yield at an intersection, causing the driver of the other car "severe and permanent injury." At the time of the crash, Latimer was driving an aide's vehicle; his own car's registration had been suspended because of a high number of unpaid parking tickets. [36]

References

  1. ^ a b "George Latimer wins Westchester County executive race". lohud.com. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Astorino outspends Latimer as campaign winds down". lohud.com. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c Reisman, Phil (October 15, 2019). "George Latimer: Lawn Ranger". City & State NY. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  4. ^ Bandler, Matt Spillane and Jonathan. "Memorial Field, 'jewel of Mount Vernon,' unveiled after long-awaited rebuild". The Journal News. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "GEORGE MAKES HIS MOVE | The Rye Record". December 14, 2023. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  6. ^ "State Sen. Latimer's Rye house in foreclosure". LoHud. December 20, 2014. Retrieved May 15, 2016.
  7. ^ Feron, James (November 10, 1991). "Democrats Upset Balance of Power". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  8. ^ "Our Campaigns - Candidate - George Latimer". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  9. ^ "The Hottest Race for the NY State Senate: George Latimer vs. Bob Cohen". The Huffington Post. December 18, 2012. Retrieved May 15, 2016.
  10. ^ Westchester County Archives, Westchester County Executive, retrieved August 3, 2007
  11. ^ "Larchmont Gazette.com: Larchmont's hometown journal. Myers Wins County Seat With (Unofficial) 58% of the Vote". larchmontgazette.mamaroneckhistory.org. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  12. ^ "Latimer defeats Cohen; incumbents cruise". Newsday.
  13. ^ Ganga, Elizabeth. "Republican Dillon concedes in 37th Senate District race against Latimer". The Journal News.
  14. ^ "Latimer, Killian face off in heated Senate race". lohud.com. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
  15. ^ Westchester County Board of Elections. "2016 General Election Canvass Book" (PDF). Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  16. ^ Lungariello, Mark (October 30, 2017). "Astorino says Latimer should step down from education post". LoHud.com. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  17. ^ "After Rob Astorino donor testimony, George Latimer camp calls for resignation". lohud.com. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  18. ^ "Rolex at center of call for Astorino to resign". Politico PRO. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
  19. ^ "Latimer Easily Wins Second Term as County Executive". www.theexaminernews.com. November 3, 2021.
  20. ^ Seaman, Barrett (July 10, 2022). "County Weighs Bid for Disputed Pocantico Lake Property". The Hudson Indy Westchester's Rivertowns News -. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  21. ^ Fandos, Nicholas (December 6, 2023). "Bowman Is Latest House Democrat to Face a Primary Over Israel Stance". The New York Times. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  22. ^ "Stunner: Chappaqua's Hillary Clinton Endorses Westchester's Latimer For Congress". Chappaqua Daily Voice. June 13, 2024. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  23. ^ "Who's endorsing Jamaal Bowman and George Latimer?". City & State NY. May 15, 2024. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  24. ^ a b Fandos, Nicholas (June 26, 2024). "Bowman Falls to Latimer in a Loss for Progressive Democrats". The New York Times. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  25. ^ "The progressive left digs in for besieged New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman in Democratic primary clash". June 23, 2024.
  26. ^ "2004 New York State Assembly election results" (PDF). Elections.NY.gov.
  27. ^ "2006 New York State Assembly election results" (PDF). Elections.NY.gov. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 22, 2012. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  28. ^ "2008 New York State Assembly election results" (PDF). Elections.NY.gov. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 14, 2018. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  29. ^ "2010 New York State Assembly election results" (PDF). Elections.NY.gov.[permanent dead link]
  30. ^ 2012 General Election Canvass Book, Westchester County, p. 292.
  31. ^ 2014 General Election Canvass Book, Westchester County, p. 494.
  32. ^ 2016 General Election Canvass Book, Westchester County, p. 263.
  33. ^ "2017 primary election results" (PDF). CitizenParticipation.Westchestergov.com. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  34. ^ "New York 16th Congressional District Primary Election Results". July 2, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  35. ^ "Rye Lifer: Robin Phelps Latimer - MyRye.com". November 19, 2023. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  36. ^ "Westchester County Executive George Latimer sued over 2017 car accident in New Rochelle". April 2, 2019. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
Political offices
Preceded by
Diane A. Keane
 Member of the Westchester County Board of Legislators
from the 7th district
1992–2004 		Succeeded by
Judy Myers
New York State Assembly
Preceded by Member of the New York Assembly
from the 91st district
2005–2012 		Succeeded by
New York State Senate
Preceded by Member of the New York Senate
from the 37th district
2013–2017 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Executive of Westchester County
2018–present 		Incumbent
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