Candidates for Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins (left) and Christine Sculti (right). 

By Ben Crnic From Daily Voice

One candidate has declared victory in the race for Westchester County's next leader. 

Democrat incumbent Ken Jenkins has declared victory over Republican candidate Christine Sculti, and currently leads with 65 percent of votes to 35 percent with 32 percent of districts reporting as of 10:20 p.m. on Tuesday, according to unofficial results.  

The race was a rematch between Jenkins, the Democrat incumbent named County Executive after a special election in early January following former County Executive George Latimer's departure to represent New York's 16th Congressional District, and Sculti, a Republican and former Chief Advisor to former County Executive Rob Astorino. 

"From housing and health to veterans’ services and workforce support — we’re making sure everyone in Westchester feels seen, safe, and supported,” Jenkins said following his victory on Tuesday night, adding, "Tonight, we celebrate more than a victory. We celebrate proof. Proof that stable, competent, forward-looking leadership works."

Jenkins centered his campaign on affordability, safety, sustainability, and equity, prioritizing controlling property taxes, expanding affordable housing and childcare, and improving government efficiency to ease the cost of living. 

He also pledged to reduce gun violence, strengthen police-community relations, and continue tackling the opioid crisis, in addition to cutting Westchester’s carbon footprint, investing in flood-prevention infrastructure, and creating green jobs. 

Meanwhile, Sculti ran a campaign championing public safety, fiscal responsibility, and parental rights, pledging to repeal Westchester’s Sanctuary County law, streamline government operations, fight utility rate hikes, and create an Office of Parental Rights to protect parents' "right to be the final authority" in their child's upbringing. 

Unofficial results are still rolling in now that polls have closed as of 9 p.m. on Tuesday. Follow the live results here.