Annabi and McLaughlin Considering Next Move

The political futures of city councilmembers Liam McLaughlin and Sandy Annabi are the hot topic of discussion at City Hall. Both McLaughlin and Annabi are term-limited this November, and with the oveturn of term limits dead, both must now consider their next moves.

While both have no public comment, privately neither has ruled out a run this fall for another office. What’s most interesting is that both have the same two options this November — run for county legislator or for council president.

Let’s break down these options:

I – Annabi, a Democrat and majority leader on the council, could run for county legislator in the 17th District, and challenge incumbent Democrat Jose Alvarado.  Alvarado is running again and has the support of County Executive Andy Spano and likely the support of Yonkers Democratic Chairman and fellow County Legislator Ken Jenkins. Alvarado doesn’t rock the boat on the County Board, and tows the line for Spano. This option would require Annabi to challenge Alvarado, and most of the Democratic party in a primary.

A race for council president for Annabi doesn’t get much easier. She would have to challenge incumbent Democrat Chuck Lesnick in a Democratic primary. Lesnick is likely to win the support of the Yonkers Dems, although not without a few challenges and disasstified Democratic ward leaders. Annabi would also have to ‘stab Chuck in the back’ and challenge him for CCP – It was Lesnick who orchestrated the council majority that elected Annabi as majority leader, to the disappointment of Pat McDow.

Annabi clearly loves politics and isn’t ready to retire. She is also a very good campaigner, and has been well-financed in past elections. Because of her exposure on the council over the past eight years, Annabi has citywide name recognition, and is an attractive and good campaigner, who would have to be taken seriously in either race.

II – McLaughlin, the minority leader on the council, will also decide whether to run for county legislator, council president or bow out of politics. A Republican, McLaughlin would have to challenge popular incumbent County Legislator Bernice Spreckman in the 14th Distirct, representing east Yonkers.

The word is that there is bad blood between Spreckman and McLaughlin, and both would love to knock the other out in a Republican primary in September. This race would be a “Battle Royale” if it ever happens.

McLaughlin’s other choice is to run for City Council president. After Councilwoman Dee Barbato declined to run, Yonkers Republicans appear to be unifying behind Republican James Castro-Blanco who already announced last month. McLaughlin’s experience and the friendships she has built over the years with Yonkers Republicans have temporarily halted the Castro-Blanco corronation.

Word is that meetings have already been held with McLaughlin and Castro-Blanco supporters to try to work things out. Once a rising star in the Republican party, two issues could hurt Liam’s chances at getting the party’s support for Council president.

I-  His lengthy battle with Mayor Phil Amicone over the John Spencer situation. After escalating into an all-out war a few years ago, the mayor and Liam have mended fences enough to work together civily at City Hall. But many Yonkers Republicans are now in Amicone’s camp, and it is unlikely that the mayor or this faction of Rep’s would support McLaughlin for CCP.

II – Over the past two years, McLaughlin has joined forces with Council President Lesnick, Annabi, and either councilwoman Joan Gronowski or Pat McDow, depending on the issue, as a majority coaltion on the Council. Some Yonkers Republicans would argue that this coalition has stalled the economic progress by painstakingly reviewing the SFC project before the economic bubble burst. 

McLaughlin could also decide not to run this fall, concentrate on his legal/CPA career and his young family and choose to run another day.

My Guess:  McLaughlin doesn’t run, and Annabi runs for Council president.