The Rye City Democratic Committee voted unanimously Tuesday night to endorse Mamaroneck Town Councilman Anant Nambiar to replace outgoing lawmaker Catherine Parker on the Westchester County Board of Legislators.
Nambiar, 55, told The Record on Wednesday that he is very “flattered” and “excited” to receive the endorsement of the local party, and plans to take the next few months to connect with more community leaders and groups across the Sound Shore’s 7th Legislative District.
The Larchmont resident said he’s looking forward to working with Rye Dem Chair Danielle Tagger-Epstein and Parker, the longtime legislator, to meet with local officials.
“All I can do right now is listen and learn,” he said.
Nambiar also said he was impressed by the endorsement process, giving credit to both his Democratic challengers – Mamaroneck politico Emmanuel (Manny) Rawlings and first-time candidate Andrew Regenstreich.
“Andrew and Manny are a testament to the quality of people we have in the district,” Nambiar said. “We’re all on the same team.”
Tagger-Epstein said the process of choosing a replacement for Parker has been months in the making. She and other district leaders spoke to around a half dozen candidates, she told The Record, before landing on Nambiar during the committee’s Feb. 4 meeting.
“The voters expect us to do the leg work, and that’s what we’ve done,” Tagger-Epstein said.
She confirmed that he’s also been endorsed by leaders out of Mamaroneck and Larchmont.
With widespread support, Nambiar’s opponents likely won’t primary him in June, Tagger-Epstein said. She told The Record that neither Rawlings nor Regenstreich has told the Democratic Committee they intend to primary Nambiar.
“I don’t foresee a primary but that doesn’t mean there won’t be one,” Tagger-Epstein said. “But I think we have the best candidate in Anant Nambiar and I’m really looking forward to November.”
“Hopefully there won’t be a primary,” Nambiar told The Record. “If we can avoid that, that’s a great thing.”
Nambiar has been particularly active in Mamaroneck – besides serving on the Town Council, he also spent time as a trustee on the school board.
He’s lived on the Sound Shore since he and his wife moved to Larchmont in 2004. Nambiar is originally from India and raised in Canada. He previously lived in both Manhattan and New Rochelle.
Nambiar most recently has been involved in discussions about Mamaroneck’s budget shortfalls, saying he supports exploring alternative fees and revenue streams instead of relying on property tax hikes, according to local news website theLoop.
He told The Record previously that his biggest concerns for the Sound Shore are environmental and housing issues. Namely, he’s worried about flooding and a lack of affordable housing stock.
In the coming months, he said he wants to “assess what else is needed” regarding environmental and housing issues.
“There’s a lot of existing work that’s happening,” Nambiar said.
A primary would take place on June 24. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 4. County Republicans have yet to announce a candidate for the legislative seat.
District 7 includes all of Rye, Mamaroneck, and Larchmont, as well as parts of New Rochelle and Harrison.
