McLaughlin To Quit Council President Race

 

City Councilman and Minority Leader Liam McLaughlin has told Rising Times that he will stop his campaign for City Council president. McLaughlin cited personal reasons, including his wife and young son, and his current work at a White Plains law firm, as the reasons for his exit.

McLaughlin got into the race late for the Republican nomination for council president, and was placed in name for nomination at the GOP convention, but received less than 40%, with Jim Castro-Blanco the winner.

Since the convention, McLaughlin has been preparing for a primary battle with Castro-Blanco, and clearly looked at the prospects ahead of a primary against the party, the cost of fundraising, and being away from home for most of the summer.

McLaughlin’s decision is good news for Castro-Blanco and Yonkers Republicans who avoid a primary battle for CCP.

Regardless of why McLaughlin got out, his decision was in the best interests of the Yonkers GOP, and sets him up for a future run for office if he so chooses. McLaughlin has also been widely rumored over the years as a City Court Judge, or corporation counsel or even Deputy Mayor in a future administration.

His experience on the City Council, and his knowledge of the budget and ability to build consensus, is an asset to the City of Yonkers.  

Now that he is out of the race, McLaughlin and the council have before them votes on the city budget and the SFC LDA. Two huge unresolved issues — with the council and the mayor at odds over whether the mayor’s budget is balanced; and the SFC LDA, which still does not have 5 council votes needed for approval.