Schleimer rules out forcing Dem primary, ponders independent line

Longtime Mount Kisco village trustee and current Deputy Mayor Karen Schleimer will not force a Democratic primary but hasn’t closed the door on an independent run.

By MARTIN WILBUR

Longtime Mount Kisco Village Trustee Karen Schleimer announced Wednesday she has ruled out forcing a Democratic primary and continues to weigh the possibility of a reelection bid on an independent line.

Schleimer said following the village’s Democratic Committee’s decision in February to endorse its chairman, incumbent Tom Luzio, and Planning Board Chair Michael McGuirk for this year’s election, she was ready to walk away after serving for 14 years. But she has heard from a large number of residents urging her to wage a campaign to remain on the board.

“I’m getting calls from people and places that I don’t know,” said Schleimer, the current deputy mayor. “It’s fascinating. It’s really gratifying, is what it is. More people that I don’t know are calling and writing. I would never have guessed that I had such wide support.”

The deadline for submitting petitions to appear on the Republican or Democratic lines is Monday, April 6. However, for independent candidates, petitioning doesn’t open until April 14. It closes on May 26.

Schleimer said that if she decides to move ahead with an independent run that she would be going alone. In 2023, former board members Theresa Flora and Angie Garcia-Guerra appeared on the independent Village Inclusive Party line along with their mayoral running mate J. Michael Cindrich. They also appeared on the Republican line in 2025 in addition to the VIP line.

“It looks like I’m going it alone unless some incredible person volunteers, which is always a possibility,” Schleimer said.

Schleimer, who also posted the announcement on her Facebook page on Wednesday, said it would have been beneficial to appear on the Democratic line. However, she took into consideration that not all of supporters are Democrats. A fair number of Republicans and independents who have reached out to her, she said.

“At this point no final decision has been made. I am weighing my options,” Schleimer posted. “I would love to continue to hear from all of you — as we make our decision together for what is best in this town. The future of Mount Kisco depends on it.”

She also stated that getting the requisite number of signatures would not be an obstacle should she choose to launch an independent candidacy.

While still a Democrat, Schleimer resigned from the political committee in September 2024 citing disagreements in the direction of the party. She has also been a relatively frequent dissenting vote on the board on a number of issues during her time on the board.