The race for Westchester County Legislature District 4—which includes parts of Yorktown, Somers and New Castle—pits Democrat and three-term incumbent and current Board of Legislators Chair Vedat Gashi of Yorktown against Republican and political newcomer Kevin O'Keefe of Somers. We sent each candidate written questions. Their responses are unedited except for formatting.
Vedat Gashi was born in Kosovo (then part of Yugoslavia) and emigrated to the United States with his family to escape the communist regime as a young child. The family eventually settled in Yorktown, where Gashi graduated from Lakeland High School before earning degrees from Connecticut College and Seton Hall University School of Law (where he interned with with future Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Congressman Lee Hamilton). He later worked in newly independent Kosovo on legal and government reforms. Gashi—who runs a real estate law practice in Yorktown Heights and the Bronx—is seeking his fourth term on the Board of Legislators.
Why are you running for County Legislature District 4? This district is my home. I grew up here, I own a small business here, I'm raising my family here — I love this community and I want to be a part of solving the problems we face together.
While Washington, D.C., politics have become so partisan, extreme and toxic – driving us apart – I believe local government should be working to bring us together and focus on delivering the quality of life we all deserve.
I am inspired by the opportunity to improve the community my children are growing up in — a community that is affordable and safe, a community where women’s health is assured, and a community where the environment is protected and respected. That’s why I’m running for re-election.
What are you most proud of in your work as a legislator what are your biggest priorities? In my six years in elected office, we’ve reduced property tax rates to the lowest level in decades while still balancing the county budget. We’ve improved our credit rating—making us the only county in New York with an AAA bond rating—increased our reserves, invested in improving our aging infrastructure, and protected the environment.
While I’m proud of being fiscally responsible, I'm most proud of the initiatives that impact families directly, many of which came from members of this very community. These include legislation to help families struggling with severe allergies by allowing police officers to administer life-saving EpiPens; legislation to allow for stop-arm cameras on school buses to help our kids get home from school safely; legislation to provide victims of domestic violence with free lock changes so that they can feel safe in their own homes; bringing the Blue Envelope program to Westchester to help keep both drivers who are autistic and law enforcement officers safe; and legislation to extend a tax break for first responders working anywhere in Westchester, helping those who keep our families safe.
Going forward, more than ever, we need strong financial stewardship while focusing on ways that we can help and support families directly.
What are this district’s biggest needs? These are tough financial times; many families are struggling to pay the bills. Affordability must remain our number one priority as we tackle the challenges ahead. We also need to continue the work that we have been doing — rebuilding our aging infrastructure while safeguarding the environment, upgrading our parks and green space, and providing the quality of life that our children and future generations deserve.
Why should Yorktown residents vote for you? I focus on the issues our community cares about and ways to improve the lives of our residents. My goal isn’t to win by tearing down my opponent. The nasty mudslinging that we see nationally (and sometimes locally) is part of what I think is wrong with politics in the first place. I would rather focus on my record, the neighbors I’ve met, and serving the needs of our district. I take my role as a public servant seriously — this is a time when we need leadership, not inexperience, from our representatives. We deserve a legislator who is going to listen, put in the hard work to address the issues we face every day, and deliver real results.
Kevin O’Keefe was born and raised in the Bronx, where he attended Catholic school from kindergarten through high school. After the September 11 attacks, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in Afghanistan and Iraq and rising to the rank of sergeant. A 13-year Westchester resident, O’Keefe helped rebuild the World Trade Center as a member of Local 46 Metallic Lathers and Reinforcing Iron Workers and now serves as an elected business agent for his union. He lives in Somers with his wife and three children and is active in his parish, St. Joseph’s Church, as well as the American Legion, VFW and Ancient Order of Hibernians. This is his first time running for the county legislature.
Why are you running for County Legislature District 4? The inspiration behind my candidacy for Westchester County legislator stems from several pressing concerns. Firstly, the potential establishment of lithium-ion battery storage systems within our residential communities poses a significant threat. Additionally, the rising costs of energy bills have become a burden for many families. Lastly, there is a noticeable lack of support for our first responders, who are vital to the safety and well-being of our neighborhoods. These issues compel me to take action and advocate for the best interests of our community.
If elected, my primary objectives will be to repeal the Immigration Protection Act, thereby providing our Westchester County police officers with the essential resources and authority to safeguard our communities effectively. Additionally, I will focus on rebuilding and enhancing partnerships between local and county officials by consistently attending town meetings to directly engage with and understand local concerns. Through fostering open communication and collaboration at the town level, we can address the issues that are most important to our residents and improve the overall well-being of our community. Furthermore, in response to the rising cost of living, I am committed to finding solutions to eliminate the tax burden and curtail excessive county spending.
What are your policy priorities and what do you see as the district's biggest needs? First is public safety enhancement. I will advocate for county grant programs that could fund existing body cameras and de-escalation training to help relieve town costs. Additionally, I will host joint town and county roundtables with law enforcement and residents to build trustworthy relationships.
Second is waste management improvement. I will secure grant support for recycling and waste infrastructure to enhance efficiency and reliability. Collaboration with the Yorktown town supervisor and Town Board will ensure effective oversight of competitive bidding on waste management.
Third is environmental preservation. I will advocate for open-space grants to preserve green areas and maintain the natural beauty of our community. Additionally, I will push for a countywide ban on battery storage, reinforcing the existing ban in Yorktown.
Fourth is utility maintenance coordination. I will improve coordination between Westchester County municipalities for utility maintenance and tree removal. Proactive tree maintenance will be advocated to minimize power outages during severe storms.
These efforts will ensure that Yorktown remains a safe, clean and beautiful place for all residents.
Why should Yorktown residents vote for you? Yorktown residents should vote for me because I will do what it takes at a county level to prioritize responsible development, downtown revitalization, and park upgrades. I plan to enhance easier access to our trails, fields, and focus on senior programming. Additionally, I will focus on public safety staffing, mental health outreach, opiate response, small business support, and permitting efficiency.
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