THE WESTCHESTER BRIEF
Thursday, May 28, 2026
Two primaries. One Republican seat on the line. Most people don't know they're happening.
On June 23, Democratic primary voters in two Westchester legislative districts will choose nominees for seats that could reshape the Board of Legislators. Early voting starts June 13 — two weeks away. Today, the Brief introduces both races.
The 15th District: a chance to flip the only Republican seat
The 15th District covers Bronxville, Eastchester, and parts of Yonkers. James Nolan — Minority Whip and the only Republican on the 17-member Board of Legislators — has held this seat since 2021 and won reelection twice. Two Democrats are competing to face him in November.
Anthony Nicodemo is president of the Greenburgh-North Castle United Teachers Union, a basketball coach, and a prominent LGBTQ+ rights advocate. Kisha Skipper is president of the Yonkers NAACP and a community advocate with deep roots in Yonkers civic life. Both bring substantive credentials. This is a real race with a real prize.
The 17th District: an open seat in Yonkers
Longtime legislator Jose Alvarado is not seeking reelection, leaving an open seat in a district covering Yonkers. Wilson Terrero — president of the Yonkers Dominican Cultural Association and a former Yonkers City Council Majority Leader — is running against Leslye Oquendo-Thomas, a former city legislative aide and United Nations staffer.
Why it matters: The Board of Legislators controls the $2.5 billion county budget. It oversees the county executive, approves capital commitments, and shapes housing, transit, and public safety policy for 1 million residents. Who sits on this board matters. These are the races that decide who those people are.
How to vote
Early voting: June 13–21. Primary day: June 23. You must be a registered Democrat in the 15th or 17th District to vote in these primaries. Check your registration at voterlookup.elections.ny.gov.
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WESTCHESTER
Tomorrow: the Friday Intel on Metro-North's $6.2B program. The MTA's largest capital investment in Metro-North history — what Westchester gets, why it matters for the 20,000 units in development, and the 3 numbers to track through 2027.
Yonkers school gap: no resolution yet. The Board of Education continues discussions on addressing the $101M structural budget gap for 2026–27. The School 21 closure proposal remains on the table. No final vote has been reported.
Eastchester budget: clock is running. Following the May 20 budget failure, Eastchester must resubmit under state Education Law timelines. Watch for a revised budget or contingency budget announcement.
ONE MORE THING
The planning board is where housing decisions get made. The Board of Legislators is where the county budget gets made. Both bodies are appointed or elected on cycles most Westchester residents don't track. Before June 23, spend five minutes looking up who represents your district on the Board of Legislators — and whether they're on the ballot.
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