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?