Luzio, Schleimer Run for Mt. Kisco Village Board After Dem Endorsement

Mount Kisco Democratic Chairman Tom Luzio will join seven-term village Trustee Karen Schleimer as the party’s endorsed nominees for the two Village Board seats that are up for election this fall.

Luzio, who emerged on the local political scene last year in his unsuccessful candidacy for mayor, said the experience he gained in familiarizing himself with village residents in 2023 should provide him with stronger support this year.

In early January he also became chair of the village’s Democratic Committee, replacing embattled longtime party leader William Serratore who had resigned from the post a month earlier following his indictment in connection with forging signatures on Luzio’s petition last spring. Luzio was never implicated in the matter.

“I think this time I’ve got much broader support after having been very public about my positions over the past year and I think that the support is up and down the Democratic Party and I hope that that will extend to cross over to all the independents that are here and, of course, any Republican is welcome to vote for me, too,” Luzio said.

While he expects additional issues to surface throughout the year, Luzio said protection of open space and making sure the local government operates in an ethical manner remain two key areas of focus in 2024.

Luzio plans to remain the chair of the Democratic Committee at least through the election. He said he enjoys the work, and in a little more than two months at the helm, the multiple vacancies for district leader have been filled.

Schleimer, who has been on the board since 2010, said she’s been encouraged by the new team of Mayor Michael Cindrich and board members Theresa Flora and Angie Garcia-Guerra, who ran on the independent Village Inclusive Party, sweeping the Democrats last November. Schleimer said she still has more to give, and found the new board is much more conscientious about focusing in on the finer details of the job.

“It’s digging down into things that have been status quo for a long time, undercovering who pays for what, what vendors we use, why things are the way they are and how to improve on that, and there’s a real interest and real support and enthusiasm, everything from picking up trash to saving the taxpayers money and making improvements in the park,” Schleimer said. “I’m really excited.”

It is unclear whether Luzio and Schleimer will have any opponents, whether that be in a June primary or in the general election. Luzio said he “would not be surprised” if they are challenged.

“I haven’t heard, but I actually would not be surprised if we were primaried or if the Republican Committee puts up somebody for November,” he said. “I wouldn’t be surprised. I mean, you have to plan for that and I think we’ve done so.”

Messages left for Trustee Lisa Abzun, whose term expires later this year along with Schleimer’s, were not returned.

There is also the possibility that a challenge could come from an independent slate. Twice in the past seven years there have been successful campaigns launched through an independent candidacy, last year and in 2017 when former mayor Gina Picinich ended Cindrich’s 14-year run as mayor.

Luzio, who spent about 30 years as a prosecutor before going into private practice, said he plans to make Mount Kisco his home for the long term after having moved to the village just under a decade ago.

“This is where I’ve settled, this is where I want to spend my retirement, semi-retirement, and work on these local issues with Mike, Theresa and Angie, and hopefully Karen and myself on the board,” he said.

Martin Wilbur

Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/