2026 New York General Election

Jewel Williams Johnson

Jewel attended both SUNY College at Buffalo and CUNY Baruch College. Professionally, she recently retired from serving as an administrator at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital for over 15 years and she has a long history of administrative positions with a number of non-profit entities.

Jewel Williams Johnson Delivered Keynote Address to 2024 Grads

A proud product of the Greenburgh Central School District, Legislator Williams Johnson was raised in Greenburgh, where she resides with her husband, Lacy Johnson; her mother; and their beloved 14-year-old Dalmatian, Jasper.

District 8 | Westchester County Board of Legislators

Jewel Williams Johnson - Westchester County Board of Legislators

Jewel Williams Johnson previously served as an administrator at Columbia University Irving Medical Center at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. She also held administrative positions with nonprofit organizations.

Jewel Williams Johnson proudly serves as the Westchester County Legislator representing the 8th Legislative District. Re-elected in 2025, she is currently serving her third term on the Westchester County Board of Legislators, having succeeded her mother, the Honorable Alfreda Williams, in 2021.

I urge the Public Service Commission to reject this proposed rate hike, not only because it is economically unsound, but because it is ethically indefensible. If there is to be any increase in rates, let it be met with equal -- no, greater investment in the people who pay them. Start with a reduction; start with accountability; start by restoring trust. Let this be the moment you choose people over profit, that is what justice looks like.

And that is what we in Westchester and across New York State are calling for -- loudly, clearly, and together. Thank you for this opportunity.

(PDF) STATE OF NEW YORK PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION - Public Statement Hearing (4/9/2025)

While New York State and our local school districts—not county government—have primary responsibility for public education, I never view that distinction as a reason for county leaders to stand on the sidelines. Education remains one of the most important concerns for parents, and the wellbeing of our schools is inseparable from the wellbeing of our communities.

County government can and should be a strong partner—supporting youth mental health, safe and healthy communities, childcare and family services, libraries, workforce development, after-school opportunities, public health, and pathways to higher education, including Westchester Community College.

Issues | {{Re-Elect Jewel Williams Johnson}}

At the county level, we have an important role in helping connect residents to care, addressing health disparities, preventing disease, and strengthening the public-health infrastructure that supports every community.

Although county government cannot create a national healthcare system, we can strengthen the resources available here at home, support our healthcare partners, address inequities, and advocate for policies that move us closer to a future in which everyone has meaningful access to quality healthcare.

Williams Johnson said: “Whether we frame it as birth equity or respectful maternal healthcare, the truth remains: too many mothers—especially Black and Brown women—are still fighting to be heard, treated with dignity, and to safely bring life into this world. This work is deeply personal to me, and I am grateful that we now have the full cohort of birthing hospitals participating in our town hall series. With Northern Westchester Hospital and Montefiore New Rochelle joining us and presenting, we are taking another powerful step in our county toward transparency, accountability, and lasting systemic change.”

Westchester County Hosts Third Birth Equity Town Hall

Calls for respectful maternal health care, transparency, accountability, and systemic change to address disparities in maternal health outcomes.

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- Calls for respectful maternal health care, transparency, accountability, and systemic change to address disparities in maternal health outcomes.

Housing is more than a roof over someone’s head. It is the foundation for stability, health, educational opportunity, economic security, and strong communities. I believe Westchester must remain a place where working families, young adults, seniors, essential workers, and people with disabilities can afford to live in the communities they call home.

County government does not control local zoning, but it has an important role to play. We can continue to invest in affordable housing development, support preservation of existing affordable units, partner with municipalities and nonprofit developers, expand pathways to homeownership, and help residents remain safely housed as costs continue to rise.

I also believe affordability must include a range of housing options. Our communities need apartments for working families, accessible housing for people with disabilities, opportunities for first-time homebuyers, and options that allow seniors to age in place with dignity.

Supports county investment in affordable housing development, preservation of affordable units, pathways to homeownership, and efforts to help residents remain housed.

Supports housing options for working families, people with disabilities, first-time homebuyers, and seniors remaining in their homes as they age.

- Supports county investment in affordable housing development, preservation of affordable units, pathways to homeownership, and efforts to help residents remain housed.
- Supports housing options for working families, people with disabilities, first-time homebuyers, and seniors remaining in their homes as they age.

As a county legislator, helped pass a ban on camouflage vapes and is advancing retail-storage regulations for flavored vaping products.

As of October 22, 2026, Jewel Williams Johnson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Protecting our water requires the same vigilance. We must continue investing in aging sewer and wastewater infrastructure, preventing pollutants from entering our waterways, preparing for increasingly severe storms and flooding, and safeguarding the rivers, reservoirs, streams, and groundwater upon which our communities depend.

Westchester County is fortunate to have an extraordinary network of beautiful, expansive parks, trails, preserves, recreational facilities, and open spaces. Our County Parks Department operates a nationally accredited park system, reflecting the professionalism and high standards that go into caring for these public resources.

I support continued investment in our parks—not only maintaining and modernizing what we already have, but also identifying opportunities to expand public access to open space, improve trails and recreational amenities, protect environmentally sensitive land, and ensure that residents in every part of the County can enjoy safe, welcoming outdoor spaces.

As Vice Chair of the Board’s Parks & Environment Committee, I view stewardship of these resources as both a present responsibility and a long-term commitment. I support thoughtful capital investment, accessibility improvements, environmental protection, and opportunities to preserve and expand open space so that Westchester’s park system remains a treasured public asset for generations to come.

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Buket Urgen

“According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the recent federal cuts to SNAP threaten to undermine one of the most effective tools we have for preventing hunger, reducing poverty, and protecting long-term health. We cannot – and must not – accept a future where children go to school hungry or parents must choose between rent and groceries.

“I am calling on our federal government to fully restore SNAP funding—and if necessary, immediately access contingency or reserve funds – to ensure that no child or family in need is left behind. Because when we deny families the basics of nutrition, we erode the very foundation of our communities. A hungry child cannot learn. A hungry parent cannot thrive. And a hungry county cannot truly prosper. Let us act with urgency and compassion—restore the resources, uphold our promise, and protect every family.”

State Assemblymember Steven Otis press release

Economy

Through Legislator Williams Johnson’s sustained advocacy, County budgets restored funding to reopen community mental health clinics that had been closed in 2011. The first clinic has since reopened in White Plains, with additional reopenings anticipated as federal support and County fiscal conditions allow.

Legislator Williams Johnson has also championed the establishment of the Board of Legislators’ Non-Profit Task Force, recognizing nonprofit and community-based organizations as essential partners in delivering services, creating opportunity, and strengthening Westchester’s social and economic infrastructure. She further convened the District 8 Community Impact Alliance, bringing together nonprofit, faith-based, civic, philanthropic, and government leaders to expand access to resources, technical assistance, funding opportunities, and collaborative partnerships for organizations serving the community.

Public Services

Housing & Urban Development

In her first year on the Board, Legislator Williams Johnson was the primary sponsor of two landmark measures: the Gun Safety Signage Law and the Flavored Tobacco Ban. More recently, she ushered through the County’s legislative ban on camouflage vapes and is advancing forthcoming legislation to regulate the retail storage of flavored vaping products.