Longtime Peekskill resident Jeffrey Roth is challenging incumbent Colin Smith for Westchester County Board of Legislators District 1.
Roth, a colonel in the Army National Guard, announced his candidacy in a press release on Thursday, Feb. 20.
According to the release, Roth has spent over 20 years in public service “tackling today’s most complex challenges, including emergency management, public safety, infrastructure and economic development.”
“I’m running because our community deserves leadership that listens, takes action, and delivers real results,” Roth said. “Westchester County needs practical solutions that make our communities more affordable, bolster public safety, and improve quality of life.”
Roth said his campaign focus is on ensuring neighborhoods are safe, making sure government officials show up for the communities they represent, and making life more affordable for families in Peekskill, Yorktown and Cortlandt.
On Friday (Feb. 21), Roth told the Herald, “I believe that particularly now with the way the world is going, in terms of the political volatility, that local government… plays an even greater role in building resilient communities that can protect people [and] be prepared for the challenges that face us.”
He continued, “In this particular role you need someone that’s leaning forward, listening, working with your constituency and working with county government to focus on those key priorities, just to ensure we remain resilient and strong in the face of whatever challenges and adversity might face us.”
Roth spent over 12 years in city government in New York City at the Mayor’s Office of Operations, where he says he tried to make government “more accessible and accountable.” Through his career, Roth worked on “complex and challenging policy questions,” his release stated, including flood mitigation and emergency management, fire and life safety, and taxi regulation.
Roth served for over 20 years in the U.S. Army National Guard, where he responded to Superstorm Sandy in New York City and two deployments overseas. He now commands Joint Task Force Empire Shield, a homeland security mission.
Roth holds a master’s degree in public policy and urban planning from Harvard University, a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College and a bachelor of arts from James Madison College at Michigan State University.
With an eye toward the primary election, on June 24, 2025, Roth said his starting point for his campaign is to go out and talk to registered Democrats.
“I think the key strategy is to knock on as many doors and talk to as many constituents as possible,” Roth said. “I’ll be out there knocking on doors as well as my volunteers and attending events where those folks go. The local party plays a very crucial role in that so I will be reaching out to them as often as possible and getting their input and ideas and building relationships.”
In a statement, incumbent District 1 County Legislator Colin Smith told the Herald that as a longtime resident of District 1, he understands the needs of the greater Peekskill, Cortlandt, and Yorktown community.
“Over the course of my first three terms as County Legislator, I have fought to expand affordable housing, support local businesses and community organizations, and secure critical funding for infrastructure improvements—all while advocating for zero tax increases,” Smith said.
Smith said he is seeking the Working Families Party nomination in addition to the Democratic nomination.
“As I seek re-election to a fourth term, I remain committed to delivering real results for the people of District 1,” Smith said. “Together, we will continue building a stronger, more vibrant community for all.”
Smith received endorsement from the Peekskill Democratic City Committee (PDCC) last month and that support has not wavered in light of Roth’s announcement.
In a statement, the committee’s chair Steve Kollias said, “The PDCC will be working hard in 2025 to elect and re-elect our slate of candidates, and we will make sure that we keep County Legislative District 1 represented by a Democrat! We believe that Colin Smith is the best person to continue as County Legislator and defeat any potential Republican challenger.”
Asked what endorsements Roth is seeking, a campaign manager stated, “We’ll be going after endorsements from all corners of this district — community leaders, labor, organizational. But ultimately we’re fighting to win the only endorsement that matters – from the voters.”
“Something I always tell my team and remind myself is there’s no shortage of problems out there, there’s just a shortage of leaders,” Roth said. “And I think particularly now, it’s incumbent on all of us to stand up and put ourselves out there and take an active leadership role where we can.”
