On the day following Election Day, the race for Bethlehem’s Town Supervisor remains undecided.
Democratic incumbent John Clarkson finished the evening 41 votes ahead of his Republican challenger Jim Foster. The race remained close throughout the evening. At one point, early numbers listed Foster in the lead by as many as 100 votes, indicating that the rift between the two voting parties has drawn closer than some had anticipated.
Foster established a platform targeting what Republicans have said was a mishandling of permit rights to Normanside Country Club. Construction near the banks of the Normans Kill is said to factor in a landslide last spring. The Republican challenger voiced concern the town’s lack of timely action will lead Bethlehem into a lawsuit with the City of Albany. Foster has also accused Clarkson into leading the town into a fiscal deficit, which is not reflected in the most recent proposed budget.
The Democrats may continue to run the table on Bethlehem’s Town Board, as Democrats Joyce Becker and David VanLuven garner enough votes to take the two vacant seats. VanLuven is ahead of Republican candidate David Harrington by nearly 240 votes. Democrat incumbents have staked claim in establishing fiscal strength by consolidating town services, and continue to describe the current administration as transparent.
Read our detailed coverage of Election Day in our November 11 editions.
Below is a breakdown of Election Day results. Below is a list of candidates running in contested races in Bethlehem. The number in parenthesis indicates the number of seats available for each position. An asterisk identifies that candidate as the incumbent.
Bethlehem Supervisor (1)
John M. Clarkson* D, W 4960 votes, 50.18 percent
James G. Foster R, C, I, Ref. 4919 votes, 49.77 percent
Bethlehem Councilman (2)
Joyce H. Becker D, I 5539 votes, 29.42 percent
David E. VanLuven D 4636 votes, 24.62 percent
David J. Harrington R, C, Ref. 4399 votes, 23.37 percent
Bridget J. Zigrosser R, I, Ref. 3384 votes, 17.97 percent
Joann V. Dawson* C 860 votes, 4.57 percent
Bethlehem Highway Superintendent (1)
Brent R. Meredith* D 4603 votes, 47.39 percent
John `Tiger` Anastasi R, C, Ref. 4297 votes, 44.24 percent
Daniel R. Morin I 807 votes, 8.31 percent
Bethlehem Town Clerk (1)
Nanci Moquin* D, I 6178 votes, 65.05 percent
Melanie J. Dumers R, C, Ref. 3304 votes, 34.79 percent
