Biography
George Stephen Latimer, born on November 22, 1953, in Mount Vernon, New York, is a seasoned American politician and member of the Democratic Party. He has represented New York's 16th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives since January 3, 2025.
Latimer's political career spans several decades, beginning with his election to the Rye City Council in 1987. He subsequently served on the Westchester County Board of Legislators from 1992 to 2004, including two terms as chair. He was elected to the New York State Assembly in 2004, serving until 2012, and then to the New York State Senate from 2013 to 2017. In 2017, Latimer was elected as the 9th County Executive of Westchester County, a position he held until his election to Congress in 2024.
In the 2024 Democratic primary for New York's 16th congressional district, Latimer defeated incumbent Representative Jamaal Bowman, a victory that highlighted the party's internal divisions over issues such as the war in Gaza. Latimer's campaign received significant support from pro-Israel groups, including the American Israel Public Affairs Committee .
Education and Political Experience
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Education:
- Bachelor of Arts in History and Theology from Fordham University
- Master of Public Administration from New York University's Wagner School
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Political Experience:
- Rye City Council Member
- Westchester County Legislator, including two terms as Chair
- New York State Assembly Member
- New York State Senator
- Westchester County Executive
- U.S. Representative for New York's 16th Congressional District
Notable Achievements and Positions
Environmental Advocacy: As Westchester County Executive, Latimer invested over $20 million in electric vehicle infrastructure and completed the electrification of the county's public bus fleets. He also promoted renewable energy and environmental equity.
Gun Violence Prevention: Latimer formed the Westchester Gun Violence Prevention Task Force to address the root causes of gun violence. As a U.S. Representative, he has pledged to support an assault weapons ban, expand universal background checks, and implement extreme risk laws nationwide.
Committee Assignments: In the 119th Congress, Latimer serves on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, with subcommittee assignments on the Middle East and North Africa, and South and Central Asia. He also serves on the House Committee on Small Business, with subcommittee assignments on Contracting and Infrastructure, and Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital Access.
Latimer's extensive experience in public service and his commitment to environmental sustainability and public safety continue to shape his legislative priorities in Congress.
