Now representing the 16th Congressional District of New York in the U.S. House of Representatives, former Westchester County Executive George Latimer brings more than 30 years of experience in public service to his new role in D.C.
The Rye resident first served on the town’s city council, then as a Westchester County Legislator, a member of the New York State Assembly, and a State Senator, before becoming a two-term county leader. With a nod to his age, he calls himself a “freshman in his seventh decade,” and says he is excited to bring the personality traits and attitude that have fueled his local success to the national stage.
We spoke with the newly sworn-in congressman (now serving on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Committee on Small Business) for some reflections on his tenure and what lies ahead.
What will you miss the most about being Westchester County Executive?
As County Executive, you run a government which in its entirety can accomplish a task to completion and you see the results. For example, the Sprain Ridge pools in Yonkers were empty for seven years. We got them fixed, and kids can now swim and enjoy themselves. We were able to rebuild Memorial Field, which was in disastrous shape. It’s where I grew up, on the south side of Mount Vernon; it was out of use and got turned into a dumping ground. It needed the resources and the drive, and I was in the right position to do that as county executive. I could accomplish things that give a greater sense of tangible benefits.
Why did you run for Congress and what are some issues that you will advocate for?
Washington, as I saw it from afar, was all about forcing an ideology and not caring what the other side thinks. I wanted to see if I could be a positive force, beyond giving speeches and expressing feelings (like some do instead of working on specific things); I want to be a representative who is more substantive in those ways.
Obviously, there are national issues of great import. They affect Westchester like they affect every place else, immigration, health care, food and fuel. But in terms of things that are Westchester specific, I’d say flooding, affordable housing, and certain other infrastructure projects are clear areas where, if the federal government could add resources to the state and county resources, then you’d see additional improvements.
What is your approach to bridging the divide in politics?
I think there are more people in Congress today with an ideological bent than ever before, and when you come in with a strong ideology, you don’t want to compromise. If you’re very far right, and I might add, very far left, you believe that any kind of compromise is wrong—that you’re somehow trading off principles that you believe are rock solid. When enough of that happens, you get the current situation: just shooting missiles at each other from across the great divide. Those who have philosophical differences from you should be respected as people. You might disagree with an idea that they have, or they disagree with your idea, but if you start with personal respect, you find ways to sit down.
I’ve been at every other level of government, and I’ve had a chance to have influence in my home community, in my home county, and in the state that I live in. So, this is it, Indiana Jones’ last crusade. You know, you put on the big floppy hat, the whip in your hand, you go through the tunnel with the snakes one more time. And in a sense, it’s testing myself. Do I have what it takes to have any impact in the biggest arena of all?
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