Some Yonkers Dems Point to Lesnick Concerns

Chuck Lesnick

 

On paper, it appears that the race for Yonkers City Council President is a done deal — with Democrat incumbent Chuck Lesnick riding re-election with the wave of a large Democratic enrollment edge, and to put him over the top, the Independence line.

Combine that with a very quiet (so far) campaign from Republican challenger Jim Castro-Blanco, and this race is over, yes? Not so fast.

Some Dems have concerns about Lesnick’s leadership, or lack thereof, they claim on the council, and the animosities between some Dems and Chuck over the years.

“Let’s remember Chuck didn’t win in 2005, Richard Martinelli lost and mailed it in. Also in ‘05, Chuck had the support of the Ridge Hill crowd, who now feel that he betrayed them,” said one prominent Yonkers Dem.

“ On SFC he’s been all over the map, trying to appease all, but annoying his base of landmarks and the anti-development crowd, who think he has done too much for developers, and the pro-development crowd, who believe he’s waited far too long to approve SFC.”

“He also voted for Mayor Phil Amicone’s budget before he voted against it, passing a council based budget.”

“Castro-Blanco is quiet, but that’s on purpose, with the hope that Chuck shoots himself in the foot. 

Pat McDow and Ken Jenkins both don’t like Chuck. We also hear the county executive isn’t on board either. Chuck needs a big turnout in the Dem-rich southwest Yonkers to combat the high turnout in the northeast

There are two competitive races in the fourth and sixth districts, which will fuel a high turnout. The Dem races in southwest Yonkers will be decided in a primary – Jenkins will breeze in and so will the Dem nominee in the second.

“Will they throw Chuck under the bus and not work hard for him? Could the Spanos — Mike and Nick — also want Chuck out of the way for Mayor Mike?

Some Opposition Among Yonkers Dems in Anointing Mike Spano Next Mayor

 

 While there has been a major push in recent months to lay the groundwork for a Mike Spano for mayor run in 2011, some rumblings and quiet opposition can be heard among Yonkers Democrats.

Some Yonkers Dems, like many Dems throughout Westchester County, were shocked and surprised that County Executive Andy Spano received and accepted the Conservative Party line. These Democrats do not believe that Dems should be taking the Conservative line based on the Conservative social beliefs on abortion and gay marriage.

Most importantly, the several Yonkers Dems we spoke to said that they saw Andy’s conservative endorsement as a deal brokered between the Spanos — with Andy getting the Conservative line and Mike, with the help of brother Nick, getting Andy’s support for Yonkers mayor in two years.

“I don’t want the Democratic endorsement for mayor in two years to be based on some political deal made for the Conservative Party. It stinks,” said one prominent Yonkers Dem.

The two biggest and most probable Yonkers Democrats standing in Mike’s way are Council President Chuck Lesnick and County Legislator and Yonkers GOP Chair Ken Jenkins. Both Lesnick and Jenkins have re-elections this year, with Jenkins expected to win easy. More on the Lesnick race in next post