Reginald LaFayette, longtime Westchester Democratic leader, dies at 69
Reginald LaFayette, a longtime Democratic leader in Westchester County who was a veteran of local politics and elections, died Saturday morning. He was 69.
LaFayette was the former longtime chairman of the Westchester County Democratic Committee, which announced his passing on its Facebook page. It said the cause of death had not been released.
LaFayette became the party's county chairman in 2004 and held the post until 2020, when he dropped out of a race for re-election in August of that year.
He was currently the Democratic commissioner of the Westchester County Board of Elections and chairman of the Mount Vernon Democratic Committee. He served many years in those positions, too.
LaFayette was just several weeks away from facing the first challenge to his leadership of Westchester Democrats at a party convention when he decided to drop out of the race in August of 2020.
He later told The Journal News that he dropped out because, at 68, he had nothing left to accomplish. Had he been re-elected to another two-year term, that would have been his last one, he added.
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Before assuming his role at the board of elections, LaFayette served as a deputy comptroller and city clerk in Mount Vernon.
The Westchester County Board of Legislators said in a statement that LaFayette "performed his many duties with passion and humor. He was a personal friend to many of us and he will be greatly missed. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends and colleagues."
"Reggie was a mentor to many and a man of principle," said Suzanne Berger, who currently chairs the county Democratic committee. "I learned so much from him. He will be missed."
LaFayette was mourned by many local officials on Saturday.
"After 47 years of friendship, there are no words that suffice," Westchester County Executive George Latimer said in a Facebook post. "Rest my friend, Reggie, in peace."
State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins called him "a treasured public servant and close personal friend."
"Reggie was an iconic figure in Westchester Democratic politics, and a trailblazer in many ways," Stewart-Cousins said in a statement. "He was a proud leader in our county and in our state. Reggie played a huge role in my life as he did with so many Democrats through his decades of service."
"I owe a tremendous debt to him for where I am today," Stewart-Cousins concluded. "He will be incredibly missed, but always remembered."
Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard said on Twitter she was "saddened" to hear about Lafayette's death.
"His legacy in Mt Vernon & Westchester makes him trailblazer," she said. "His work has stretched over decades and paved the way for so many people in this community. My heart goes out to his family at this time."
Rep. Jamaal Bowman, who represents Mount Vernon in New York's 16th Congressional District, called LaFayette "a giant and one of the most influential people in Westchester County and beyond."
"Just yesterday I had breakfast with Mr. Lafayette in Mount Vernon where he imparted his decades of wisdom and experience," he said in a statement. "This meal is one that I will forever cherish. Our conversation left me inspired and grateful for the forty years he proudly served our community; building democratic power and diversifying leadership."
"His memory and legacy will not be forgotten," Bowman added.
David Propper contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Reginald LaFayette, Westchester political and elections leader, dies
