Happy New Year to everyone! We will be having our first 2012 meeting this month and hope you all can join us. We will be reorganizing and moving forward toward our biannual rechartering with the state Young Dems. Stay tuned for details on the state convention in a few months.

Not only is next year a Presidential year, but it will also be a battle for control of Congress and the NY State Senate. This spring we will also be having an Assembly Special Election here in Westchester, due to Assemblyman Mike Spano winning election as Mayor of Yonkers. It should prove to be quite an exciting year ahead.

Congratulations to Virginia Perez, Richard Thomas, Jared Rice, and Christopher Johnson on their election victories!

Today is Election Day — poll are open 6am to 9pm, so don’t forget to vote!

We have 7 Young Democrats running for office today, so please support them where you can:

As you may well know, the Democrats on the County Board of Legislators currently hold a 12-5 super-majority that allows them to override the vetoes of current Tea Party County Executive Rob Astorino. They need our help to make sure they maintain it. With 2 open seats and several incumbents threatened, WYD needs you to step up.

In northern Westchester, Legislators Harckham, Kaplowitz, and Nonna face serious opposition and the open seats caused by the retirements of Marty Rogowsky and Bill Burton also deserve attention. In Yonkers alone, we have 3 Young Dems running, including 2 pickup opportunities, one of which is our own Vice President George Kevgas, running against 16-year incumbemt Bernice Spreckman in southeast Yonkers and Fleetwood while Theo Moustakopoulos is running against Legislator Gordon Burrows in northeast Yonkers and Bronxville. Virginia Perez is running to keep the Democratic seat held by Legislator Jose Alvarado who she defeated in September. The last 2 Democratic challengers are Michael Kane in Peekskill and John Fitzpatrick in Eastchester/New Rochelle.

Help us bolster the Democratic majority and keep Rob Astorino in check — get involved today!

It appears that all 3 of the Young Dem candidates pulled out a victory on Primary Day, in addition to the big mayor’s races in Yonkers and Mt Vernon. Virgina Perez appears to have upset County Legislator Jose Alvarado in the 17th District and Christopher Johnson seems likely to have won the open Yonkers City Council seat in the 1st District, while Richard Thomas has won a clear victory for Mt Vernon City Council.

Mike Spano won a clear victory for Yonkers Mayor, while the race for Mt Vernon Mayor was very close between former Mayor Ernie Davis and current Comptroller Maureen Walker.

Congratulations to all Democratic primary victors — onto November!

Today is Primary Day, don’t forget to vote!

With petitions now over, we have the following Young Democrats on the ballot for the primary or general elections:

George Kevgas, County Legislator, 14th District
Theo Moustakopoulos, County Legislator, 15th District
Virginia Perez, County Legislator, 17th District
Frank Corvino, Harrison Town Clerk
Rich Thomas, Mt Vernon City Council
Councilman Jared Rice, New Rochelle City Council, 3rd District
Chris Johnson, Yonkers City Council, 1st District

This list is for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as an endorsement.

Earlier today, WYD Vice President George Kevgas announced his candidacy for County Legislator in the 14th District, bringing us a total of 9 Young Dems potentially running for office in Westchester County this year!

This Saturday, the 12th of February, WYD will be doing a GOTV canvass for Mary Jane Shimsky who is running to succeed Tom Abinanti in his 12th District County Legislative seat. Mary Jane represents the 12th vote in the County Legislature to maintain the Democratic super-majority and stem the tide of rampant cuts put forth by this Tea Party County Executive. Come out this weekend and celebrate Valentine’s Day by getting Mary Jane elected next Tuesday!

If you can’t make it but are still interested in helping, please contact us for further canvass and phone banking info.