Republican candidate James Freeman will look to fill a gap in the county Board of Legislators with longtime Legislator Jim Maisano, a New Rochelle Republican, transitioning to a position in the county executive’s administration after 21 years.
Freeman, who works professionally as an attorney, will look to maintain a dwindling Republican minority on the county Board of Legislators, which pivoted even further toward complete Democratic control in November.
Partly fueled by national politics—in particular negative sentiments toward President Donald Trump—voters helped secure a Democratic Board of Legislators supermajority, increasing the lead from nine seats to 12, and propelling former state Sen. George Latimer, a Rye Democrat, to the county executive’s seat.
Freeman told the Review that even despite Republicans being in the distinct minority, the seat—which encompasses parts of New Rochelle and Pelham—is as important as ever.
“Even in the minority, if you work with both sides, you’re able to pass meaningful legislation,” he said. “But, it’s more important to be a strong advocated in your district.”
So far, Freeman has been the only Republican candidate to step forward in the upcoming special election for the county’s 11th legislative district. Because of the special election, candidates will work on an expedited timeframe with votes being cast on April 24; the same day as a state Senate election for Latimer’s vacated seat.
The Republican’s official nomination process will take place on March 7 at GOP headquarters in White Plains.
Among Freeman’s platform, he listed responsible development, protecting the Long Island Sound and “holding the line on taxes.”
Freeman has never held public office, but has worked as Westchester’s prosecuting attorney between 1995 and 2000 and also ran for New Rochelle City Council last year.
County legislators earn an annual salary of $49,200, and the winner of the race will serve out the remainder of Maisano’s two-year term.
-Reporting by James Pero
