Jenkins, Sculti to Face Off in Special Election for County Executive
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Westchester voters will soon go to the polls to choose between Democrat Ken Jenkins and Republican Christine Sculti in a special election that will determine who completes the term of former county executive George Latimer.
Early voting begins this Saturday and extends until Feb. 9, with the in-person vote set for Tuesday, Feb. 11.
The special election was forced after Latimer resigned from office Jan. 2 following his election to the 16th Congressional District.
Jenkins, who ran for county executive in 2017, but lost a primary to Latimer before becoming his deputy for seven years, was appointed to his role on Jan. 6, pending the outcome of the special election. He has been endorsed by the Westchester Democratic Committee and supported by the entire Westchester Democratic delegation to the state legislature.
For the special election, he was officially endorsed by the Westchester Democratic Committee on Jan. 15.
“Their trust in my leadership is both humbling and inspiring,” Jenkins said. “Together, we’ve worked to make Westchester a place where families can thrive, businesses can grow and communities are strengthened. As county executive, I am committed to continuing this work and ensuring that Westchester remains a model of progress, equity and opportunity.”
Sculti, who lost to Latimer in the general election in 2021, was an advisor to former county executive Rob Astorino. She has also served as chair and CEO of the Westchester County Taxi & Limousine Commission and as assistant to the Yonkers mayor, along with holding several other posts.
She is currently a deputy commissioner of the Westchester County Board of Elections.
Safety and affordability are key issues Sculti plans to address if elected. She said Jenkins “has prioritized the welfare of dangerous criminal illegal aliens over our safety,” pointing to the March 2018 law that made Westchester a sanctuary county.
“This isn’t just bad policy; it’s a direct threat to our residents’ safety,” said Sculti, who was also vice president of a family-owned business and a corporate business development manager. “A law that limits information the county will share with federal immigration authorities is the very definition of sanctuary.”
Sculti also took aim at what she characterized as “extreme taxing and spending” over the past seven years, even though property taxes have been steady or declined for nearly all of that time.
“Ken Jenkins has raised the sales tax by a whopping $452 million, making everything you buy more expensive,” Sculti said. “He has recklessly increased the county budget by $656 million over the last seven years. Families, seniors and young people are being priced out of Westchester – unable to stay in their homes, unable to build their futures here. I will put a stop to this out-of-control spending, prioritize fiscal responsibility, and make sure that your hard-earned dollars are used to benefit you, not the bloated bureaucracy.”
A week after Latimer coasted to victory in November, Jenkins, a former chair of the Board of Legislators, announced he would be running for his own term.
“As deputy county executive, I have been privileged to work on behalf of our communities, lowering property taxes, expanding affordable housing and securing investments that make Westchester safer, healthier and more equitable,” Jenkins said at the time. “Westchester is a place of limitless potential, and I am ready to lead us forward with a vision rooted in opportunity, safety and sustainability.”
The winner of the special election will serve as county executive for the remainder of the year. Another election will be held in November with the winner securing a full term.
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/