Three prominent Westchester Democrats say Robert P. Astorino”™s gubernatorial aspirations have distracted him from his day job as county executive. Astorino”™s camp has shrugged off those accusations and gone on the offense against the three.
County Clerk Tim Idoni joined with legislators Ken Jenkins and Peter Harckham at a Monday press conference where the trio said Astorino, a Republican, had spent 14 out of 67 business days since his re-election out of Westchester. They said since Astorino”™s second term as county executive began Jan. 1, he had spent 20 percent of his time outside of Westchester at networking events and fundraisers, garnering support for an expected run for governor.
Jenkins, who was ousted as chairman of the Board of Legislators this year, has often clashed with the county executive. “While Mr. Astorino has been racking up frequent flier miles, Westchester County has been left out to dry,” he said.
The three said that by focusing on state office, Astorino was breaking an implicit promise to serve out his four-year term. But Bill O”™Reilly, a spokesman for Astorino, said in an email that Astorino has maintained his focus on cutting taxes and spending in the county. He fired back at the trio, particularly the legislators, who in 2012 were part of a Democratic majority walk out during a Board of Legislators meeting at which a coalition approved the 2013 budget.
“Whether it”™s flipping off light switches and storming from the county board chambers, filing ridiculous annoyance lawsuits or holding nonstop political conferences, messrs. Jenkins and Harckham have exhausted their credibility,” he said.
Astorino hasn”™t officially announced his candidacy for governor but has formed a committee to raise funds and launched an “Astorino for Governor” website.
He has said he would announce his candidacy before the end of the month.
To read a PDF of the Democratic officials”™ press release, click here.
