Politics on the Hudson

The four-way Republican primary in Yonkers’ 4th Council District that seemed possible last week, now looks like a two-way contest. Gerri Esposito and Ronald Volino say they no longer plan to run in a September primary for the party’s nomination. That leaves Dennis Shepherd, who recently won the Republican committee’s endorsement at a convention, and John Rubbo a former aide to Mayor Phil Amicone, who jumped in the race after leaving his job in City Hall.

The fourth district has elected Republican candidates for many years, but GOP dominance may lessening. Facing the winner of a Republican primary would be Democrat Mario DeGiorgio, who was selected at a convention earlier this spring. DeGiorgio ran a strong but ultimately losing campaign against incumbent Councilman Liam McLaughlin in 2005. McLaughlin cannot run for re-election because of term limits.