Castro-Blanco Leads Lesnick for Council President with Recount Set for Next Week

Democrat Council President Chuck Lesnick appears to have fallen victim to the tidal wave of anti-tax, anti-incumbent, and yes — anti-democratic, fervor that hit Yonkers and Westchester on election night.

As of press time this week, Castro-Blanco holds a 121-vote lead over Lesnick, out of over 23,000 votes cast. This close margin will trigger an automatic recount of all voting machines starting Monday.

Both Castro-Blanco and Lesnick remained cautiously optimistic. “It’s still too early, but when the smoke clears and all the votes are counted, I hope that I’m the next council president,” said Castro-Blanco.

Lesnick pointed to the fact that all of his last three elections have been nail biters, decided by a couple of hundred votes. “This year, a lot of incumbents lost, but we are holding our own. I’m looking forward to the recount and I’m hopeful that I will be the winner.”

Mayor Phil Amicone, who was a big winner on election night in Yonkers, said,  “I’m confident that Jim [Castro-Blanco] will be elected and give us someone who is a strong leader on the City Council who will get things done and help move Yonkers forward.”

Several factors aided Castro-Blanco’s apparent victory. First, the Republican tidal wave in Westchester — led by county executive winner Rob Astorino — and the underlying theme of voters who are fed up with high taxes, fueled turnout in Yonkers, with most voting for Castro-Blanco.

Second, a high voter turnout in the Republican, and anti-tax, communities of east and northeast Yonkers — which both had competitive City Council races — resulted in large numbers for Castro-Blanco.

Third, Lesnick’s showing in the Democratic-rich communities of southwest Yonkers was lower than expected, with Lesnick and Castro-Blanco running neck and neck in the Second Council District, which is overwhelmingly democratic and Hispanic.

A Castro-Blanco victory would result in a Republican majority on the City Council, and an unofficial supermajority of council members supportive, or at least receptive, to the mayor’s vision for Yonkers.