Republican Leadership in White Plains

For much of the 20th century and into the modern era, White Plains was shaped by Republican leaders who guided the city through periods of growth, modernization, and downtown transformation.

Between 1920 and 2009, White Plains elected eleven Republican Mayors and more than fifty Republicans to the Common Council. Their leadership helped guide the city through decades of expansion, redevelopment, and civic investment.

From early infrastructure expansion to mid-century redevelopment and modern revitalization, these leaders played a significant role in shaping the White Plains we know today.

Republican Mayors of White Plains

Early Growth & Civic Development (1920–1949)

Frederick E. Weeks

(1920–1925)

An attorney practicing in White Plains and a veteran of both the Spanish-American War and World War I, Weeks led the city during a period of rapid growth. During his administration the population rose to more than 20,000 residents, and he oversaw planning and construction of the Municipal Building, City Hall.

Frederick C. McLaughlin

(1926–1931)

McLaughlin had previously served ten years on the Common Council, including eight years as Council President, before becoming Mayor. His administration coincided with one of the city’s largest periods of growth, including the opening of City Hall, the Westchester County Center, and a new White Plains High School in the Highlands.

Walter Rogers

(1936–1937)

An accountant who moved to White Plains in 1918, Rogers served one term as Mayor and remained active in civic and community organizations.

Robert P. Smith

(1934–1935)

Born on Chatterton Hill and educated in the White Plains public schools (WPHS class of 1908), Smith was an attorney in the city before becoming Mayor. He later represented White Plains on the Westchester County Board of Supervisors.

Chauncey B. Griffin

(1932–1933)

A lifelong resident of White Plains and a graduate of White Plains High School (class of 1903), Griffin previously served as the city’s first Commissioner of Public Safety. His administration coincided with the celebration of the city’s 250th anniversary, which included a visit from President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Chauncey T.S. Fish

(1938–1945)

A White Plains attorney and World War I veteran, Fish served four terms as Mayor during the World War II era. He later became the first chairman of the Board of Trustees of Westchester Community College and helped secure the college’s permanent campus.

Silas S. Clark

(1946–1949)

Born and raised in White Plains, Clark was a local attorney and veteran of both the Mexican Border Campaign and World War I. His administration focused on post-war improvements, including expanded municipal parking and infrastructure.

Edwin G. Michaelian

(1950–1957)

A White Plains High School graduate (Class of 1924) who served in the Navy during World War II, Michaelian served on the Common Council before becoming Mayor. During his administration major corporations such as Nestlé and General Foods established executive offices in White Plains. He later served sixteen years as Westchester County Executive.

Mid-Century Modernization (1950–1974)

Richard S. Hendey

(1958–1973)

Hendey served twelve years on the Common Council before becoming mayor and was one of the longest-serving Mayors in the city’s history. His administration oversaw the beginning of urban renewal, the opening of a new White Plains High School building on North Street, and construction of the city’s first municipal parking garage.

Carl J. Delfino

(1974)

A lifelong White Plains resident and former chair of the White Plains Renewal Agency, Delfino served twelve years on the Common Council before being elected Mayor in 1973. Shortly after taking office he suffered a stroke and passed away later that year.

Harry H. Gordon

Acting mayor (1974)

A White Plains High School graduate (Class of 1933) and business owner, Gordon served on the Common Council and became Council President in 1974. Under the city charter he served as Acting Mayor following the passing of Carl Delfino.

Alfred

Del Vecchio

Del Vecchio, a professor of mechanical engineering at Manhattan College, was first elected to the Common Council in 1972 before becoming Mayor in 1975. His administration oversaw major redevelopment of the central business district, including the opening of the Galleria Mall and improvements to transportation and recycling systems.

(1976–1993)

Modern Transformation (1976–2009)

Joseph M. Delfino

(1998–2009)

Born in White Plains and a graduate of White Plains High School (Class of 1950), Delfino served in the Air Force during the Korean War before beginning a career in business. After serving on the Common Council, he was elected Mayor in 1997. His administration oversaw major redevelopment projects including City Center, Renaissance Square, The Source at White Plains, and the construction of the new Post Road School.

Republicans Who Served on the White Plains Common Council

Names shown in red indicate individuals who were later elected Mayor. An asterisk (*) denotes those who served as Council President.

1916–1939

William J. Weise (1916–1918)
Frederick C. McLaughlin (1916–1931)
G. Albert Thompson (1918–1921)
John R. Bremmer (1918–1925)
Frank M. Wilson (1919–1923)
Frederick E. Weeks (1920–1925)
Belle M. Knight (1920–1923)
Charles E. Moore (1920–1923)
John McMillan (1922–1929)*
John J. Ackerman (1924–1935)
William T. Graff (1924–1931)
Thomas Pinchbeck (1924–1925)
Albert W. Haigh (1926–1937)*
John D. McGrath (1926–1931)
Lawrence R. Yeager (1926–1929)
Thomas H. Callahan (1930–1945)
George Hill (1930–1937)
Chauncey B. Griffin (1932–1933)
Edgar B. Goldstein (1932–1935)
J. Harvey Turnure (1932–1939)
Robert P. Smith (1934–1935)
Walter Rogers (1936–1937)
Leslie B. Gillie (1936–1949)*
Stephen Holden, Jr. (1936–1947)
Chauncey T. S. Fish (1938–1945)
Clarence C. Meleney (1938–1945)
T. George Tracy (1938–1945)

1940–1973

Edward G. Michaelian (1940–1957)
Theodore C. Ranscht (1944–1947)
Silas S. Clark (1946–1949)
Louis A. Druss (1946–1957)
Bernard J. Durand (1946–1961)
Richard S. Hendey (1946–1973)*
Fred E. Hadermann (1948–1955)
Kenneth R. Miller (1950–1963)
John W. Ebersole (1950–1959)
Douglas C. MacCallum (1956–1963)
Evans V. Brewster (1958–1965)
Seymour Robinowitz (1958–1961)
Hugh D. Leslie (1960–1971)
Joseph G. Mazur (1962–1969)
Francis W. McMahon (1962–1969)
Carl J. Delfino (1964–1974)*
Lester E. Johnson (1964–1971)
Warren W. Wells (1966–1969)
Monroe A. Gelfer (1970–1973)
Harry H. Gordon (1972–1974)*

1974–2009

Alfred Del Vecchio (1972–1993)*
Michael A. Coffey (1974–1993)
William A. Rose, Jr. (1974–1977)
Robert F. Ruger (1976–1987)
Joseph M. Delfino (1980–2009)*
David I. Grauer (1982–1989)
Richard S. Hendey, Jr. (1982–1993)
William J. Waterman, Jr. (1990)
Josephine M. Falcone (1996–1999)
Larry Delgado (1998–2005)

A Record of Service

Republicans have served White Plains at every level of city government, from Council Member to Council President to Mayor, helping guide policy, development, and civic life across generations.

Many of these leaders were lifelong residents of White Plains and graduates of the city’s public schools, reflecting a tradition of local leadership rooted in the community itself.

This record reflects a long-standing commitment to public service and the continued growth of the City of White Plains.

This page was compiled using publicly available historical records of the City of White Plains, including materials from the White Plains Public Library. Images courtesy of the City of White Plains, the White Plains Public Library, and related public archives.