Tim Foley, CEO of The Building & Realty Institute, which is based in Armonk, has declared his candidacy for the Democratic nomination to run for the Board of Legislators seat currently held by Legislator Ben Boykin.
Boykin cannot run for another term because of term limits. He is in his sixth term representing legislative District 5, which covers Scarsdale, West Harrison and a large section of White Plains.
White Plains Common Council Member Jennifer Puja has announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Boykin’s seat. Before joining the Board of Legislators Boykin served on the White Plains Common Council.
Foley told the Business Journal that if he won the nomination and subsequently is elected to the Board of Legislators he may have to resign as CEO of the BRI.
“It is likely that it would be considered a conflict of interest under the Code of Ethics and I would have to resign but in the event that I won the primary I would seek an opinion from the county attorney to confirm,” Foley said.
In announcing his candidacy, Foley said, “There is a very real chance that Washington may yield little but chaos, corruption, and economic headwinds, If that happens, county government will be the place where we must roll up our sleeves, bring people together, and make change happen, where we take care of each other.”
Foley told the Business Journal that his interest in running for public office has become heightened because of the focus now being placed by government officials on issues that he has been focusing on at the BRI.
“Right now the issues that I have focused on in my various roles as an advocate but also inside and outside government have been affordable housing, access to health care, climate resilience and right now this board and this county executive have made those their signature issues and since that is what I have worked on the county provides a real opportunity to make progress on those issues,” Foley said.
Foley has lived in Scarsdale for the past 12 years with his wife and two children and has served as the first vice chair for the Scarsdale Democratic Town Committee. Before becoming CEO of the BRI, Foley was the communications director for Assemblywoman Amy Paulin.
The Democratic Primary for the 5th District will take place on Tuesday, June 24.
