A former lawmaker on the Westchester County Board of Legislators wants her old job back.
Virginia Perez is now challenging the incumbent for the seat in the 17th legislative district that represents Southwest Yonkers. Perez represented the district for about seven years before stepping aside two years ago to start an online business.
Perez and her opponent Jose Alvarado showed up at a building on Tuesday that was mostly occupied by seniors on Riverdale Avenue with free food and tote bags.
Perez says she's running for her old seat because the seniors pleaded with her to.
"My extended family called me to come back. And there is no greater honor than serving your community when your community calls you to come home basically and that's what it feels like for me, a homecoming," says Perez.
Alvarado, who's been endorsed by the Democratic Party establishment, says Perez is an opportunist and adds that he's done a lot of good work for the people of Southwest Yonkers over the past two years.
"We made promises of the reactivation of the sewage treatment plant, order mitigation, we are building a brand-new park that you covered the story about, and we reactivated the youth bureau," says Alvarado.
Perez is confident she can retake her former seat on the County Board.
Alvarado is just as assured that he can hold off her challenge.
The two, plus community activist London Reyes, will square off in the Democratic primary on June 22.
News 12 reached out to London Reyes for comment on the race, but so far has not heard back.