McLaughlin not running for state Senate
-
- May
- 22
Yonkers City Councilman Liam McLaughlin has made life a bit easer for Westchester GOP leaders — he’s decided not to run for state Senate this year.
“It didn’t fit well with my family dynamic right now,” McLaughlin told Politics on the Hudson a few moments ago. He said he wants to spend more time at home with his 21-month-old son.
“I’ve got a young son at home and I just wanted to be more helpful around the house,” McLaughlin said.
McLaughlin said he reached his decision Wednesday – a day after he was in Albany “meeting with people” about the race. His decision removes a major headache from GOP officials, who are desperately trying to avoid a primary in the 35th District race against Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins.
So far, Hartsdale attorney Mary Mahon is the only announced Republican candidate in race. But Yonkers City Councilman John Murtagh is considered a likely candidate and is favored by many within the GOP heirarchy.
McLaughlin, a close ally of former Yonkers Mayor John Spencer, did not express any opinion about who he wanted to see get the nomination, saying only that he would support the party nominee.

















Having Liam McLaughlin serve as the Senator for the 35th district would have been just what the doctor ordered. However, who could blame Councilman McLaughlin for wanting to spend more time with his family.
All the best to Mr. McLaughlin
Yonkers voter is as f.o.s. as the entire McLaughlin excuse is.
Actually, I’m just a Yonkers resident who believes Councilman McLaughlin has done a superb job on the Council and would have been a fantastic Senator, but, I can appreciate that he would like to spend time with his family. Maybe that is something you should consider, Wahoo. It might mellow you out a bit.
its fair to say if liam went to albany he was told
by the republican senatorial committee which is going
to fund the race that Murtaugh was their choice
Obviously.
Tell that to Yonkers Voter, who seems to have a pony named Liam in the stable. If we all had $5 for every time we heard a politician use that phony “time with the family” line, we’d all be rich.
Nothing against McLaughlin, who I’m sure is a fine man, but in situations like this, a pol HAS to say exactly what he said and it is the public’s job to read between the lines, usually something like: ‘not your turn,’ or, ‘not enough money,’ or, ‘promises were made and must be kept,’ or, ‘we’ve decided we have a better shot with another candidate,’ or, ‘don’t make a fuss, don’t challenge our thinking, and we have something in mind for you.’ It would be refreshing to hear the truth directly, but it would serve only to give the public a better look into the pit, something none of them can bear to allow. Goes, of course, for both sides.
And I chuckle at the line: “I’ve decided to give up my family in order to spend more time with politics.”
Why is it so hard to believe that I believe Liam to be a great family man who isn’t interested in spending 3 days a week in Albany while he has a baby at home?
It also might surprise you that Councilman McLaughlin was requested to come to Albany to meet with people requesting him to run. But I’m sure all of you “insiders” knew that already.
And you claimed to be just an “aw, shucks” Yonkers resident.
My only claim is that it is truly accurate that Councilman McLaughlin would like to spend more time with his family. Not such a terrible thing. I’ll leave the ridiculous comments to you.