The Governor of the State of New York, Kathy Hochul, endorsed Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano for re-election on Sunday June 25th.
Kathy Hochul became the first female governor in the state’s history after replacing Andrew Cuomo in August 2021. Cuomo had resigned over accusations of sexual assault and witness intimidation. Prior to this, Hochul served as Lieutenant Governor for six years. She won election to the office of Governor in her own right after besting Republican Lee Zeldin in the 2022 general election.
Now, Hochul has endorsed incumbent Mike Spano for his unprecedented fourth term as mayor of Yonkers. Mike Spano was first elected as Mayor in 2011. He previously served numerous terms in the NY State Assembly. Spano’s bid for a fourth term was made possible by the extension of term limits for himself and the city council members last December. This endorsement adds to the pile of existing name-worthy politicians and organizations like Ken Jenkins and Yonkers Police Benevolent Association.
There is no bigger champion for the City of Yonkers and its residents than Mayor Mike Spano
Kathy Hochul – Governor of New York
Spano thanked the Governor for her endorsement saying, “Governor Hochul’s endorsement is a testament to our shared vision for a thriving, inclusive, and prosperous Yonkers.” Typically, such an endorsement would be excessive and unnecessary. But this year, Spano is pulling out all of the stops. He is being challenged in the Democratic primary by YPS educator Margaret Fountain-Coleman and City Council member of the second district, Corazón Pineda-Isaac. Despite outspending each candidate ten-fold, and flexing all of his incumbent muscle, negative press about the self-serving term limits extension and nepotism throughout his administration appear to have the mayor taking no chances.
In 2019, Spano defeated his two opponents–both also women of color–by a jaw-dropping amount. And that outcome may repeat itself in 2023. But, it is clear that Spano is spending a fortune and calling in every favor to ensure he continues to be the head of Yonkers government.
