Former Yonkers City Council President Chuck Lesnick has become the latest person to toss a hat in the ring to run for the position of City Council president. There already are four other Democratic candidates for the job as well as two declared Republicans. It looks as if both parties will have highly contested primaries for their respective nominations. Lesnick positioned his candidacy against the background of what’s happening nationally.
“As Trump and his allies continue to push policies that threaten our communities, Yonkers needs proven leadership that understands the challenges we face and has the experience to deliver results,” Lesnick said.
The Republican declared candidates for Yonkers City Council president are Ron Schutte and Dean Politopolous.
Current City Council President Lakisha Collins-Bellamy, a Democrat, announced that she is running for reelection. Democrat Mike Khader, a former council president, also is a candidate. Peter Spano, who unsuccessfully ran for the office four years ago and is not related to Mayor Mike Spano wants to try again for the office. Democrat Tasha Diaz, who formerly was majority leader on the City Council, also has declared her candidacy for council president.
According to Yonkers, the City Council president is the presiding officer of the council and leads all meetings and chairs the Rules Committee. Additionally, the council president acts as a city-wide ombudsman responding to individual constituent requests and community concerns. The council president also is a voting member of all standing committees of the council, the Board of Contract and Supply, and the Community Development Agency (CDA). As a member of the CDA, the City Council president actively promotes economic development in the city.
