Republican City Councilman Bill Henderson has officially announced he is running for mayor — ending months of speculation.
Henderson, 66, will top a GOP ticket that includes running mates James Fee, Robin Thrush Jovanovich, and Maria Tufvesson Shuck.
“I believe I am best positioned to lead the Rye City Council for the next four years,” said Henderson. “I believe that I can best bring the council together.… That is why I am running.”
The move sets up a head-to-head matchup with fellow Councilman Josh Nathan, a Democrat who launched his own mayoral run last month.
In announcing his plans, Henderson — a critic of incumbent Mayor Josh Cohn — emphasized the need for civility in city government, echoing a platform he ran on in 2021.
“The Council works best when there is civility, robust debate, and diversity of viewpoints,” the first-term councilman said. “Our local government must use common sense, be humble, and respect our citizens’ rights and liberties.”
The campaign will center on traditional Republican talking points: keeping taxes low, fiscal discipline, and public safety.
But he also plans to run on continued investment in capital infrastructure, protecting the local environment, and managing growth — a hot button issue in the community over fears of increased development around the Central Business District.
Flood mitigation, an ever-present issue that has plagued Rye, is another topic Henderson said he’ll try to gain traction on. He voiced frustration over several stagnant upstream flood projects at a recent City Council meeting.
“I’m just wondering why we haven’t been able to move the ball … and it just seems that we’ve made no progress,” he said. “I’m just perplexed.”
Now retired, Henderson spent his career as a CPA, lawyer, and federal prosecutor. He was a partner in the forensics practice at the global accounting firm, Ernst & Youn. He’s lived in the city for more than 30 years.
Henderson was first elected to the Rye City Council in 2021.
Since joining city government he’s worked closely with Nathan, even jointly leading a bipartisan majority coalition over the last two years that largely neutralized the politically unaffiliated Cohn, who is not seeking reelection.
But the two took divergent paths on whether to install synthetic turf at Nursery Field.
Nathan was against turf. Henderson, who initially opposed it, eventually backed the controversial project allowing it to pass through the City Council. The turf is expected to be rolled out this spring.
Henderson is also campaigning this election cycle on prioritizing adequate field space for Rye kids.
Contributed photos
His decision to run for mayor isn’t without risk. He is opting against seeking reelection to his council seat — a likely easier road for the incumbent.
If he loses, Henderson is out of office in January. (Nathan’s council term isn’t up until 2027.)
But November success could have far-reaching consequences for city Republicans. If the party picks up three seats, it will take majority control of the City Council for the first time in a decade — dating back to the final days of ex-mayor Joe Sack’s administration in 2016.
Matt Thomas, a GOP campaign spokesperson, said low turnout off-year elections favor right of center candidates. Plus, the voting bloc of registered unaffiliated voters (3,706), is enough to swing an election in the Republicans’ favor, according to Thomas.
“One out of every four voters are not [politically] affiliated,” he said. “If you look at the data they definitely vote right of center.”
Henderson will be joined on the campaign trail by Fee, 36, who works as a litigator at a firm in New York City. He said his decision to move to the city five years ago was due to its top-tier assets — from its schools to recreation facilities.
Fee’s first taste of local civics started with Rye Golf Club, Thomas said, getting involved when Henderson fought off a proposal to increase rates for new resident members of the club.
“He did talk to Bill a lot about what he was trying to address on the council,” Thomas said.
Jovanovich, 74, said one of her priorities is helping Henderson win.
“I don’t just want to ‘keep Rye Rye,’ but rather want to ensure that important quality-of-life issues are addressed thoughtfully and efficiently,” she added.
She first moved to Rye in 1992. Over the years, Jovanovich has served on the boards of the Rye Arts Center, the Rye library, and 5 Steps to Five, a Port Chester-based Spanish-language parenting program. The wife of the late ex-councilman Peter Jovanovich, she is also the former publisher of The Rye Record and current editor emeritus. She sold the paper in October 2023.
Shuck, 65, has also been a longtime resident, living in Rye for more than 30 years. She recently ended a 35-year career as a lawyer specializing in global corporate restructurings.
The community has become the heart and soul for her and her family, Shuck said, and she’s now ready to pay that back. “Rye is a wonderful place, and I am excited about the opportunity to give back by serving on the City Council,” she said.
The mayor and council members are elected to four-year terms. Election Day is Nov. 4.
