AFRICAN-AMERICAN CLERGY MEMBERS ENDORSE ASTORINO FOR RE-ELECTION

Mt. Vernon, NY–June 22nd….A coalition of prominent African-American ministers, led by the president of the United Black Clergy of Westchester, on Saturday endorsed Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino for re-election. The announcement was made in Mount Vernon where the county executive was surrounded by several African-American supporters.

The clergy members include:

• Bishop C. Nathan Edwers, president United Black Clergy and Pastor at Friendship Worship Church, Mount Vernon;
• Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, senior pastor, Grace Baptist Church, Mount Vernon
• Bishop Gay Thompson Steele, pastor at Faith Mission Church, Yonkers
• Bishop Dominic Allotey, pastor at Living Faith, Mount Vernon
• Rev. Michael Gerald, pastor at Shiloh Baptist Church, Tuckahoe
• Rev. William Mitzell, assoc. pastor at Grace Baptist Church, Mount Vernon
• Pastor Reford Mott, senior pastor, Family Christian Center, New Rochelle

“The re-election of County Executive Rob Astorino is essential to rooting out bloat and waste in government so that services for the most needy can be protected,” said the president of the United Black Clergy of Westschester, Bishop C. Nathan Edwers. “County Executive Astorino has broad support among African American ministers because he has shown that he can do can more with less using solid fiscal management practices. These are tight times, and Mr. Astorino works tirelessly to lessen the pain and support the neediest in our county.”

“Rob Astorino has been a true leader for Westchester County,” said Pastor Reford Mott. “We’ve worked closely together over the past four years and it’s evident he cares deeply about the needs of our communities. He is taking Westchester in the right direction and we must continue on that path. I’m proud to call him a friend and enthusiastically endorse him for re-election.”

“I’m so proud of the diversity we have here in Westchester and it’s incredibly humbling to receive the support of Bishop Edwers and his fellow clergy members,” said County Executive Astorino. “I have had the great fortune of working alongside them in our communities to make Westchester a safer and more affordable county, where people can live and raise their families. We have made a lot of progress but there is more to be done and I look forward to everything we can accomplish together over the next four years.”