Hillary Clinton backs Dem George Latimer in Westchester exec race
over 6 years in NY Daily
ALBANY — Westchester County resident Hillary Clinton is backing Democrat George Latimer for county executive, the Daily News has learned.
In an endorsement statement provided to the Daily News, Clinton said that Latimer is “facing a difficult race against an opponent being funded by some of Donald Trump's most powerful allies.”
Latimer, a state senator, squares off Tuesday against three-term Republican incumbent County Executive Rob Astorino.
Astorino has received support from billionaire conservative donor Robert Mercer, a Trump supporter who recently sent $1 million to a super PAC running ads to help the GOP county exec.
Mercer on Thursday stepped down as co-chief executive of the Renaissance Technologies hedge fund and also sold his stake in the Stephen Bannon-run Breibart News, which is run by former top President Trump adviser Stephen Bannon, to his daughter, Rebekah Mercer.
Astorino spokesman Bill O’Reilly said the campaign was not surprised Clinton endorsed her fellow Democrat.
“This was an expected interparty endorsement,” O’Reilly said. “We don’t take it personally, but we do ask that Mrs. Clinton to speak with George about the five years in property taxes he owes. Westchester schoolkids need it.”
Astorino’s campaign has made a central campaign issue of the fact that there are $46,000 in unpaid property taxes on a house Latimer’s wife owns in Rye.
For his part, Latimer said he is “honored” to receive Clinton’s endorsement.
“Even in the face of the same alt-right hate and lies, we now see in this campaign, she has proven to be a tireless fighter and advocate for all,” Latimer said. “We feel especially blessed to have her as a neighbor here in Westchester, and I look forward to serving as county executive for her family, and every family in the county.”
Clinton in her statement also urged voters to elect Democrats in Westchester across the board, including “the wave of New Castle businesswomen, from Kristen Browde for New Castle town supervisor to Ivy Pool and Gail Markels for New Castle town board.”
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