Westchester County Legislator Jim Maisano, a New Rochelle Republican, has resigned from his post to take a role in County Executive George Latimer’s administration.
Maisano, the longest-serving Republican on the county Board of Legislators announced his resignation on Feb. 16 to become the new commissioner of the county Department of Consumer Protection.
“I can’t even tell you how excited I am about this opportunity,” Maisano said. “I’m ready for a new challenge and a new experience. It was incredible that [the county executive] reached across party lines to show that really the most important thing is the county of Westchester.”
Maisano has served 21 years as a legislator and previously as the Board of Legislators’ vice chairman from 2014 to 2017.
“The only standard that matters with people that we bring into this administration is that they [are] talented, and they have the ability to material advance the interest of the people of Westchester County,” Latimer said. “In appointing Jim Maisano, I have appointed the best person I could find for this position. His party affiliation is not relevant to me.”
With Maisano’s departure from the board, Democrats, who currently have a 12-5 supermajority in the county Legislature, will have an opportunity to further strengthen their control of the board.
According to the county Board of Elections, Democrats outnumber registered GOP voters by approximately 8,000 in District 11, Maisano’s former district which covers New Rochelle, Pelham and Pelham Manor.
A special election will now have to be called to replace him. The special election must be held within 90 days, according to county law.
As of press time, Maisano is expected to begin his new position on Monday, Feb. 26.
