“I still view things from a local perspective, that’s who I’ve been all these years, and I think that ultimately it will be decided at the grass roots,” Westchester County Executive George Latimer told the Business Journal shortly after formally announcing his campaign to run for the seat in Congress now held by Rep. Jamaal Bowman.
After having filed papers declaring his candidacy with the Federal Election Commission on Dec. 4, Latimer on Dec. 6 formally announced the start of his Democratic Primary campaign against Bowman. Latimer told the Business Journal that if he does not win the Democratic Party nomination in the primary he would not attempt to run as a third-party or independent candidate.
The national spotlight has highlighted Bowman’s criticism of Israel, his boycott of a speech to a joint meeting of Congress by Israeli President Isaac Herzog and his having pulled a fire alarm in the Cannon House Office Building. Latimer outlined a plan to highlight local issues and constituent needs as he campaigns against Bowman throughout Westchester and into the section of the Bronx that’s included in New York’s 16th Congressional District.
“The votes are going to be gained by local communications, the local media outlets that people read and see,” Latimer said when asked if he plans to rely on exposure on national television during the campaign. Latimer’s campaign launch announcement received extensive coverage by national outlets such as the Associated Press, The Washington Post, CBS News and Politico.
“Meeting people in person will be what drives the votes. The national themes will be part of this but I don’t think at the end of the day people will say ‘because he has this national profile he’s my guy.’ I think they’re going to look at the back yard, what’s happening, who’s the most effective, who can ‘do the most for me’ over the course of the next two years.”
Latimer explained that people get to vote for a limited number of people to fill significant roles in Washington: the president; vice president; two senators; and one congressional representative.
“Your member of Congress is the person who represents your unique piece of turf,” Latimer said. “If there’s flooding in your neighborhood that requires federal money to fix, it’s your member of Congress who has to go to bat for you. Being on national television and speaking on culture war issues has a certain appeal and reaches people on a certain level. I’ve been county legislator and state legislator and have proven as a county executive that I know how to focus on results not just rhetoric.”
Latimer said that when deciding who to send to Congress people ask which of the candidates can deliver results for the area in which they live.
“What you’re watching in Washington is embarrassing, it’s a clown act,” Latimer said of the gridlock and behavior that has been making recent Capitol Hill headlines. “You have intelligent people but they can’t control their partisan motivations. They constantly do things to be seen rather than to accomplish things.”
Latimer contrasted the divisions in Congress to the bipartisan spirit that has been promoted by his administration in Westchester and the results that have been produced including on-time and balanced budgets, tax stability including a series of property tax reductions and continued strong economic development.
“I’ve been a unifier in the party for a long time,” Latimer said. “Taking on this primary is less about divisiveness because I think the divisiveness is baked into the cake of what the incumbent has done, the way he’s separated himself from the Democratic majority on many issues and the way he’s been quick to criticize the president publicly on certain issues. I want to be a Congressman who focuses on the district, does a good job and delivers what is necessary for my community to have.”
Latimer said he has a genuine concern that “our country is facing an existential crisis and our very democracy is at risk right now. We need our voice in Congress to be someone who brings people together and delivers results on the issues that matter.”
Latimer said that people need a congressional representative who will listen to all voices and who takes concerns of constituents seriously.
“If I go to Washington I’m not going to tell you that it’s going to be different once I go down there,” Latimer said. “All I can tell you is that when I go in the middle of a ‘food fight’ I’m not going to participate in the ‘food fight.’ I’m going to try to keep my nose focused on what I can deliver and how I can be a positive influence. If I’m on a couple of committees I’m going to study the issues that are before my committees, asking intelligent questions and trying to support and sponsor good legislation and work to try to get it passed. It’s time for Washington to stop bickering and start working for us.”
Latimer said that to the extent that he can work across the aisle with the Republicans in Washington he will.
“I’ve proven that I will work across the aisle not only in White Plains but in Albany where you have a greater degree of partisanship than you do in county government,” Latimer said. “To the extent that you can be, I’m a known quantity. I’ve got things that people can look at over 30+ years and say, ‘this is who George Latimer is.'”
