Tuesday, Jan 07th

Ken Jenkins Appointed Westchester County Executive Until a Special Election on February 11, 2025

1.6 WC Swearing In 38On Monday January 6, 2025, the Westchester County Board of Legislators voted unanimously to appoint Deputy County Executive Kenneth W. Jenkins Westchester County Executive until a Special Election, which the Board has set for February 11, 2025.

The public will vote to elect a County Executive to serve the remainder of Congressman George Latimer’s original term through December 2025.. Jenkins succeeds Acting County Executive Richard G. Wishnie, who was designated to the transitional role by Board Chairman Vedat Gashi immediately after Latimer officially stepped down on January 2, 2025 after he was elected to represent Congressional District 16 in the US House of Representatives.

This afternoon he was sworn into office by New York State Supreme Court Justice Anne E. Minihan, 9th Judicial District, in a ceremony at the Michaelian Office Building.

Jenkins said: “I am deeply honored to have been named Westchester County Executive, a challenge I am braced to take on with integrity, respect and vision. As Deputy County Executive for the past seven years, I have fought hard to uphold the principals we all share – democracy, safety, education, technology and community engagement. We have made tremendous progress and have much we can feel proud of, seeing the completion of key infrastructure projects, environmental upgrades and social justice issues. I am confident that in this new role as County Executive, we will continue to make great strides for Westchester, together.”

According to a press release from Westchester County, “Jenkins built an extensive career in telecommunications and technology, holding key roles at leading companies such as Apple, AT&T, Bell Atlantic, New York Telephone (Verizon), NYNEX and Seer Technologies. He also gained valuable sales experience, as an owner and broker, during his tenure at ERA Gem Realty, further enhancing his expertise in the real estate sector.

Jenkins’ extensive public and community involvement includes board service with the Greyston Foundation, United Way, Westchester County District Attorney's Community Advisory Committee, Westchester County Crime Stoppers and the Community Planning Council of Yonkers. He served as President of the Yonkers Branch of the NAACP and the Yonkers Community Action Program.

A longstanding member of the Democratic Party, Jenkins has held various leadership positions, including: Treasurer of the New York State Democratic Committee, Chairman of the Yonkers Democratic Committee, Chairman of the Black Democrats of Westchester and Secretary of the Westchester County Democratic Committee, in addition to serving on its Executive Committee. He has also shared his political insights as a frequent analyst on News 12 Westchester.”