Deputy Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins was selected today by the County Board of Legislators to serve as acting county executive until a special election is held on Feb. 11 to fill the balance of George Latimer’s term. Latimer resigned as county executive to become a member of Congress representing the New York’s 16th Congressional District. Jenkins was chosen as acting county executive by a 16 to 0 vote of the board, which in a previous 16 to 0 vote set Feb. 11 as the date for a special election to fill the office of county executive.
Jenkins was due to be sworn in as acting county executive in a ceremony in the county executive’s office on the ninth floor of the County Office Building in White Plains about an hour after the board voted.
“I am deeply honored and humbled at the confidence placed in me by all of you,” Jenkins said. “Westchester is my home and I’ve dedicated my life to making it a place where every resident has an opportunity to thrive. The challenges ahead require all of us to work together, every community, every leader and every resident in our great county.”
Jenkins thanked Richard Wishnie, the county’s emergency services commissioner, who served for a few days as acting county executive until the Board of Legislators could meet and make its selection.
“I pledge to continue to lead with integrity, transparency and a deep commitment to the values that make Westchester so unique,” Jenkins said. “The special election scheduled for Feb. 11 is an important opportunity for the people of Westchester to have their voices heard and I’m encouraging everyone to engage in that democratic process and make your vote count.”
