VIPs & Packed House for Latimer Swearing In Ceremony

(PHOTO: US Senator Chuck Schumer praised Latimer’s skills as a retail politician, recounting how they refer to him affectionately as “The Lawn Ranger” for his reputation for going door to door to meet voters. January 26, 2025 at Rye High School.)

It was a packed house on Sunday afternoon at the Rye High School auditorium, January 26, 2025 for the ceremonial swearing in of longtime Rye resident and new NY-16 Congressman George Latimer. Five hundred or so friends and supporters showed up to hear federal, state, county and local officials tell stories about and heap praise on the new Congressman.

“You know what his nickname was?,” said United States Senator Chuck Schumer, the first in a long line of officials to heap praise on Latimer’s accomplishments, style and particular brand of retail politics. “Anyone remember, when he ran for office? The lawn ranger… because he would walk door to door, and talk to voters. And wouldn’t you know it? He hasn’t lost a race since. He never takes a vote for granted. His commitment to his communities is so deep and strong.”

State Senator Shelley Mayer was the emcee, wrangling the various staggered appearances of VIPs coming and going from the dais. The line up included Schumer, six clergy over the course of the two hours, some live musical performances, Attorney General of New York Letitia James (Latimer was rumored to be a running mate when there was talk of James running for Governor), New York State Senator & Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins, Governor of New York Kathy Hochul, Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins, and of course, Latimer himself.

“I am not going to name everybody, because there’s nobody that names everybody better than you know who,” said New York State Senator & Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins about Latimer. “I want you to stand up, and I want you all to say – on the count of three – we love you George. I’m going to tell you why I’m doing this – because he’s not going to have any fun there,” acknowledging the tough and acrimonious environment in Washington, DC.

“Everybody in this room has a George Latimer story,” said Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins, who worked by Latimer’s side as his deputy. “And, more importantly, he has a story about everyone here in this room too. And do you know how many times we go into places and you pull something out… of people think, oh, my God, how do you remember that thing that we did 25 years ago? But that’s who George Latimer is.”

“You go to a diner with George and it’s like walking in with a rock star,” said Governor of New York Kathy Hochul. “And everyone knows his name – and they have a story to tell.. remember the time you helped my mother do this. It’s just it’s so empowering to see what one person can do in a role that they’re given.”