FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OCTOBER 24, 2025

Contact: (917)239-2499
 

Westchester Asian American Democrats Condemn Disrespectful Remark Toward Anant Nambiar 

 

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y.–The Westchester Asian American Democrats today condemned the Republican candidate, Kurt van Kuller, in County Legislative District 7 for referring to his South Asian opponent, Mamaroneck Town Councilman Anant Nambiar, by the wrong name during the Oct. 22 League of Women Voters debate — calling him “Mr. Mamdani”. Mamdani is the last name of the leading candidate in the bitterly divided New York City mayoral race, which has no relation whatsoever to the County legislator race in terms of issues or candidates. Even when corrected, the Republican candidate did not apologize or even acknowledge the error.

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“We are deeply disappointed by this incident,” said Tony Kollarmalil and Heather Mieko Lackey, Co-Chairs of the Westchester Asian American Democrats (WAAD). The organization emphasized that while mistakes can occur, candidates for public office have an obligation to demonstrate respect and cultural awareness, especially in diverse communities like Westchester. 

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“Names are central to identity,” the co-chairs of WAAD continued. “When political candidates dismiss or confuse them, it sends a harmful message — that our identities are interchangeable, and that our communities do not merit the same care or consideration. That is unacceptable.”

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David Imamura, the Majority Leader of the Westchester County Legislature, added, “As the first Asian American Westchester County Legislator, it is absolutely unconscionable for a Republican candidate to confuse Westchester’s first South Asian American County Legislature candidate with the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City.  Asian Americans are not interchangeable and treating us as such is one of the issues holding our community back. Councilman Nambiar is owed a full and complete apology.”

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WAAD has endorsed Anant Nambiar, who runs as a uniter, bringing together voters across the political spectrum, for his platform which addresses kitchen table issues for residents of Westchester’s Sound Shore.

 

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