The Committee also endorsed:

• County Executive Andrew Spano for re-election,

• Janet DiFiore, Westchester County District Attorney,

•  Timothy Idoni, Westchester County Clerk

     Cannick said, “I am proud of our slate of qualified dedicated candidates who are committed to working cooperatively to move the City of Mount Vernon forward in a positive direction for our residents. These are independent-minded individuals of integrity who understand that the City needs leadership who are unified in purpose and who are willing to work together for the common good of Mount Vernon, and not get bogged down in public bickering and contentiousness that portrays our City as constantly divided.” 
    Cannick also said that while the Committee generally gives incumbents the benefit of the endorsement, incumbent Comptroller Maureen Walker and Councilman Yahanna Edwards were not endorsed because they were not willing to commit to supporting other candidates on the party’s slate, even though other candidates were willing to support them. “I know that there are all sorts of agendas out there. Some are trying to settle scores over the last Mayoral elections. Some are positioning for the next Mayoral elections. Some are working with forces from outside the City to disrupt our local Democratic party and undermine the city government," said Cannick. “I also know that Mount Vernon residents have important economic and social concerns. They are not interested in divisiveness. They want progress and that will be the focus of the party’s endorsed candidates.”  
     According to Cannick, in 2007, the residents of Mount Vernon voted for change. He said that the Mount Vernon Democratic Party has had change in its leadership structure and that more people are now participating in the political process. “As the new chairman, since September 2008, I have worked to bring people together and we are a unified party. We have had the most open nominations process in recent years. I established a screening committee that interviewed 16 candidates. We have allowed each and every candidate an opportunity to speak to the district leaders, and when some candidates did not come to speak at the first meeting, I scheduled a second meeting so that everyone could have an opportunity," said Cannick.
     Cannick also said that the open democratic process has given the party a slate of candidates dedicated to serving the Mount Vernon community. He said that the slate represents the rich diversity of the city and that the candidates will bring a positive and truthful message of progress and hope to the voters. “We will be victorious. As President Barrack Obama said -- this election is not about the politics of cynicism, but about the politics of hope," said Cannick.