TYRAE WOODSON-SAMUELS

Tyrae Woodson-Samuels made history on November 3, 2020, as the third youngest Westchester County Legislator ever elected. A native of Mount Vernon, he has rapidly ascended the ranks of county leadership, currently serving as the Chairman of the Budget & Appropriations Committee overseeing a nearly $3 billion county budget. This pivotal role follows his tenure as both the Majority Leader and Majority Whip, where he spearheaded a "practical progressive" agenda and helped guide the Board’s legislative priorities while holding the line on taxes. In 2025, Woodson-Samuels was honored by the New York State Young Democrats as “Young Elected of the Year”.

Prior to his election, Woodson-Samuels served as Deputy Director of Constituent Services for Congressman Eliot Engel, managing critical community responses on issues ranging from immigration, gun safety, and economic development to federal funding and senior programming. A dedicated community advocate, Woodson-Samuels has long focused on representing underserved communities. He has served on the boards of the Shamoya McKenzie Foundation, the Fleetwood Neighborhood Association, and the Community Service Associates Soup Kitchen. His leadership extends to the Westchester Black Democrats, the Westchester Young Democrats, and the local NAACP where he previously served as 2nd VP. Deeply committed to the next generation, he continues to serve as a mentor in President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper initiative, working with dozens of young men in the City of Mount Vernon to provide guidance and opportunity. In the private sector, he is an entrepreneur and licensed NYS real estate salesperson.

To conclude, Woodson-Samuels extends his deepest gratitude to the Mount Vernon district leaders for their tireless service and active participation in this process. He believes their partnership is the engine behind the community's progress, having worked together to deliver real results—most notably by passing responsible budgets that keep county taxes down. He remains fully committed to continuing the fight against Con Edison’s rate increases to ensure that residents are protected from unfair costs and that Westchester remains affordable for everyone.