McLaughlin vows primary after Castro-Blanco win; Two other GOP nominees picked
James Castro-Blanco upset veteran Yonkers Councilman Liam McLaughlin for the Republican nomination for City Council president at the party’s convention tonight. Castro-Blanco picked up a resounding win, 10,643 to 6,438 under the convention’s system of weighted voting, said Republican Chairman John Jacono. Remember that’s weighted voting, only about 100 committee members actually voted, according to Jacono.
Later, McLaughlin said he would challenge Castro-Blanco for the nomination in a September primary contest. McLaughlin blamed his defeat on Mayor Phil Amicone, whom he said “was personally calling district leaders” to support Castro-Blanco. Although Amicone had said he was not supporting either candidate, the mayor appeared at Castro-Blanco’s inital fund-raising event and spoke favorably about him.
Also decided tonight:
*In the 4th District, Dennis Shepherd defeated John Rubbo, Gerri Esposito and Ronald Volino. The seat is now filled by McLaughlin who canot run for a third term because of term-limits.
*In the 6th District, John Larkin defeated Anthony Merante.
The Republican nominee in the council president’s race will face Democratic incumbent Chuck Lesnick. The Democrats filled out their
ticket in late April, picking Wilson Terrero in the 2nd District, where
there is no Republican opponent; Mario DeGeorgio in the 4th; and Ted
Winnicki in the 6th. Though a Democrat, Terrero supported Amicone for mayor
two years ago.
Look for full coverage tomorrow in The Journal News and LoHud.com.
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this convention is nothing but a power grab by amicone, to have a rubber stamp city council and to abolish term limits next year.
That’s exactly right! Amicone knows that he can control Castro-Blanco. What a disgrace. Amicone should be embarrased that he had to call district leaders ad threaten there or there family members employment with the City. He should be investigated.
Now just wait and see John Spano will suddenly become employed at the Parking Authority. Another job bought by Nick’s endorsement of Castro-Blanco
castro blanco is the obvious choice..he is a breath of
fresh air whether or not you like the mayor…he is
a former US attorney who cannot be bought..and Liam
should accept the judgment of the yonkers city committee
Like Jacono said, its only 100 members that voted. A far cry from the people who will support Liam in a Republican primary. McLaughlin wins that primary easily.
And whether you like it or not my dislike for the mayor has to play a role since this is his hand picked candidate.
Amicone is the reason Castro-blanco received the nomination but Amicone will also be the reason he loses the primary.
castro blanco was not hand picked..thats a bunch of hog
wash..he decided on his own to run..and then made the
rounds of elected officials and party people..Liam
can run a primary but that will only divide the republican
party against lesnick in the fall…castro blanco
provides the opportunity to attract cross over voters
both dems and independents..and he has no baggage
stop trying to make him amicone’s candidate…phil
supports him but he hardly chose him
Edelman… you are being naive or being less than truthful in saying Castro-Blanco is Amicone’s guy. He has City employees driving Castro-Blanco around in CIty verhicle on City time. Now tell me he’s not Amicone’s “pick”.
By the way, what will you say when John Spano becomes the Director over at the Parking Authority shortly? Will you chastise Amicone & Nick Spano for the endorsements that are for sale?
I will say that mr castro blanco is the best candidate
for city council president..I am not concerned at all
that he has a relationship with a republican mayor
who has done a very good job under very difficult
circumstances.. I do not believe that any city official
is driving castro blanco around on city time..that
is the usual garbage that tries to impugn a candidates
integrity…prove it with pictures…if not stop
repeating it…and in fact castro blanco has not yet
taken a leave of absence from his lawfirm..he is employed
full time in white plains..so the only time he gets
to go around is at night…and that would not be
city time…so if the city hall folks like him thats
fine with me…more importantly liam who is majority
leader and an elected councilman is clearly not the choice
of republicans in yonkers..that speaks volums about the
impression he has made over the years…his alliance
with john spencer etc…so if republicans want to oust
lesnick from the post..they should get behind castro
blanco…who is more than capable and a thoroughly
honest candidate with no poltical baggage whatsoever
FIRST OF ALL AMICLOWN WILL NOT GIVE SPANO THE JOB TILL AFTER THE PRIMARY,CAUSE LIAM WILL DEFINATELY BEAT HIM AT THE POLLS,NICK IS A BIG SELL OUT TO ALL REPUBICANS !!!
LIAM CANNOT BEAT CASTRO BLANCO…AND YOU CAN BE SURE
THAT IS THE CASE
a right-to-life irish catholic will do very well in a republican primary..
murtagh, and especially castro-blanco are greg ball doug colety confidants and disciples infecting lower westchester. thats reason enough to vote for liam.
One day edelman is going to realize just because he says it doesn’t make it true… even if he believes it.
one day maybe….but not today
An Irish-Catholic vs. a Hispanic-Catholic, in a Yonkers primary, the race will be very close. The party hacks are watching these races to see where the Spano-Amicone-Spencer-Zherka chips are falling, the rest of the voters can’t be bothered…most will vote on their “feelings” on primary day-if they vote at all.
Liam may have better name recognition in his district than Castro-Blanco. On a different note, he’s gonna need to get out the voters in his current district, his endorsement of Volino over Esposito may have hurt him a bit grass-roots wise.
After the primary, if there’s a primary, the GOP will need to be whole or Chuck Lesnick will be re-elected.
Who’d the Pope endorse?
gop girl is pretty much on the nose…but the larger question is who has a better chance to win in november
liam can get cross over votes from the north west
portion of yonkers..the 3rd council district…but
only so many…because of his baggage..castro blanco
on the other hand can open up a whole new ballgame
by gettting democrat hispanic votes all over
the city…sonia sotomayor to the supreme court
and castro blanco to the council presidency
the democrats castro blanco can get are votes
that no republican ever gets