| George Latimer (he/him/his), a third generation Westchester native, was born on Nov. 22, 1953 in Mount Vernon to the late Stanley and Loretta (Miner) Latimer. After attending Mount Vernon public schools, Latimer graduated with a B.A. from Fordham University in the Bronx in 1974, as well as a Master's Degree in Public Administration from New York University's Wagner School in 1976.
After completing his education Latimer first became a marketing executive, serving for more than 20 years at major corporate subsidiaries of Nestle, and ITT, with on-site responsibilities for projects with AT&T, IBM and Shearson Lehman. During that time Latimer gained first-hand business and economic experience, having direct involvement with project development at numerous sites nationwide.
A resident of the City of Rye for over 35 years, Latimer ran his first successful race for public office in 1987, earning him a seat on the Rye City Council. Four years later, in 1991, he was elected to the Westchester County Board of Legislators, where he became the first-ever Democrat to win the 7th District seat representing the City of Rye, the Village of Larchmont, and Mamaroneck Town and Village. During the 13 years Latimer was a member of the chamber, he served as Minority Leader and then as the first Democratic Chairman of the Board of Legislators in Westchester County history.
From 1998 to 2001, while Latimer was Chairman of the Board, County property taxes decreased three consecutive years. Additionally, Latimer oversaw the passage of ground-breaking legislation such as the creation of the Human Rights Commission, Smoke Free Workplace Laws, and the Waste Haulers Laws. Latimer has always been regarded as bipartisan, transparent and accessible, appointing Republicans to chair committees, facilitating a fair redistricting plan involving members of the chamber's minority party and outside "good government" groups, and establishing the first cable TV coverage of Board of Legislators meetings.
Elected in 2004 to the State Assembly, Latimer continued a solid record of accomplishment, sponsoring legislation and advancing funding for environmental issues including the protection of the Long Island Sound. During his tenure in the Assembly, Latimer authored more than 20 new laws. Latimer was then elected to the State Senate in November 2012, representing the 37th District comprised of 16 Westchester municipalities.
Over the years, Latimer has received public recognition and awards from numerous Westchester and Hudson Valley organizations for his work, including by the Sarah Neuman Center, the Washingtonville Housing Alliance, Congregation Anshe Sholom in New Rochelle, the Port Chester/Rye Brook Chamber of Commerce, the Mamaroneck Chamber of Commerce, LMC-TV, Council of Community Services in Port Chester-Rye Town, Helping Hands and the NY State Association of School Psychologists.
Latimer took office as Westchester County Executive in January 2018 as the ninth County Executive. He was then re-elected to a second term as County Executive in November 2021, never losing an election after over three decades in public office.
During his tenure as County Executive, Latimer has upheld an impressive record of achievements including three consecutive County property tax cuts and credit rating stabilization. He is also responsible for bringing several long-standing infrastructure projects to fruition, including the historic Elijah J. Miller House, Sprain Ridge Pool, New Rochelle Family Court and the North and South County Trailways. Latimer has broke-ground on Memorial Field in Mount Vernon, and unveiled the County's 9/11 First Responders Memorial on the 20th Anniversary of the September 11 attacks, dedicated to the heroes who passed away from 9/11 related illnesses.
Latimer has worked with all stakeholders on key social justice reforms, including the Police Reform and Reimagining Task Force, banning Gay Conversion Therapy, signing the Anti-Wage Theft Law and the Wage History Anti-Discrimination Law among others. He has worked to electrify the County's Bee-Line Bus Fleet, and modernize all County facilities for a green future. Today, Latimer continues to lead Westchester County through the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic as the County continues to rebound, rebuild and recover.
Latimer's sound business experience, his record of public service and his dedication to Westchester County have been the driving force behind his efforts for the last 35 years. Using inclusion and openness as a foreground, he is fighting to make Westchester County a destination for all people to live, work and enjoy. |