Polling stations across the Capital District closed their doors at 9 p.m., but the evening is only just about to begin for several political candidates vying for seats in office this year.
Please check back here for updated results. You will be able to read our detailed coverage of Election Day in our November 11 editions.
UPDATE 9:58 P.M. – Still no updates posted from Albany County Board of Elections, despite many camps receiving unofficial vote counts.
UPDATE 10:15 p.m. — Unofficial numbers obtained for local supervisor races. One of which has Republican challenger Jim Foster leading incumbent Democrat John Clarkson for Bethlehem Town Supervisor.
UPDATE 10:33 — Official numbers from Albany County come in for some races.
UPDATE 10:52 — Some races are nearly two-thirds the way done from being determined. Interesting developments in some of the legislative seats in Bethlehem.
UPDATE 12:00 A.M. — Some races are still too close to decide as the evening draws to an end. But, if we look solely upon tonight’s numbers, interesting conclusions can be drawn.
In Colonie, Democratic incumbent Paula Mahan successfully defends her seat in office for another term against Republican challenger Christine Benedict. However, two new Republicans join the ranks on the town board with both Jennifer Whalen and Christopher Carey earning the last two seats behind incumbent Paul Rosano.
The race for Bethlehem’s town supervisor was close throughout the night. At one point, unofficial numbers had Republican challenger Jim Foster leading by 100 votes over Democratic incumbent John Clarkson. But, with all precincts now accounted for, it’s Clarkson ahead by only 41 votes.
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.
Some of the more compelling races took place within the Albany County Legislature, particularly with districts in Bethlehem.
Democrat challenger William Reinhardt wrangled the party’s bid away from incumbent Herbert Reilly, Jr. back in September, which ultimately created a three-way race in District 33. Reinhardt garnered only 42 percent of the votes tonight, but more than enough to win.
Democrat Paul Miller challenged Republican incumbent Mary Lou Connolly for District 32, and won by a 920 to 479 vote.
Joanne Cunningham, another Democrat challenger, took District 34 in a three-way race against Republican Douglas Schulz and Independence incumbent Thomas Cotrofeld, Jr.
Guilderland’s race to name a new town supervisor was neck and neck between Democrat Peter Barber and Republican Brian Forte. Barber earned 4050 to Forte’s 3651 votes on the night.
The public finally had their say on the County Charter Reform, mainly on whether or not to cut the number of seats down from 39 to 29 – county residents said no by a 59 to 40 percent margin.
For the Albany County’s Majority Leader Frank Commisso, the number of seats exchanged between Democrats and Republicans does not appear to change the landscape within the Legislature at all.
Below is a breakdown of tonight’s results. Below is a list of 74 candidates within our reading area who are running in contested races in either county or local office. 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 50.18
James G. Foster R, C, I, Ref. 4919 49.77
Bethlehem Councilman (2)
Joyce H. Becker D, I 5539 29.42
David E. VanLuven D 4636 24.62
David J. Harrington R, C, Ref. 4399 23.37
Bridget J. Zigrosser R, I, Ref. 3384 17.97
Joann V. Dawson* C 860 4.57
Bethlehem Highway Superintendent (1)
Brent R. Meredith* D 4603 47.39
John `Tiger` Anastasi R, C, Ref. 4297 44.24
Daniel R. Morin I 807 8.31
Bethlehem Town Clerk (1)
Nanci Moquin* D, I 6178 65.05
Melanie J. Dumers R, C, Ref. 3304 34.79
Colonie Supervisor (1)
Paula A. Mahan* D, W 9848 54.57
Christine M. Benedict R, C, I, Ref. 8184 45.35
Colonie Town Board (3)
Paul L. Rosano, Sr.* D, C, I 10556 21.63
Jennifer A. Whalen R, C, I, Ref. 9324 19.11
Christopher J. Carey R, C, Ref. 8150 16.7
Timothy A. Lane D, W, I 7906 16.2
William E. Carl* D, W 7180 14.71
Brian E. Manion R, Ref. 5660 11.6
Guilderland Supervisor (1)
Peter G. Barber D, I 4050 52.52
Brian K. Forte R, C, Ref. 3651 47.34
Guilderland Town Board (2)
Lee R. Carman R, C, Ref. 3910 25.85
Rosemary Centi D, I 3819 25.25
Michele L. Coons R, C, Ref. 3747 24.77
Allen F. Maikels* D, W, I 3633 24.02
New Scotland Town Board (2)
William C. Hennessy, Jr. D, C, I 1726 41.16
Patricia J. Snyder* D, C, I 1509 35.99
Christopher P. Frueh R, Ref. 950 22.66
New Scotland Town Board vacancy (1)
Adam D. Greenberg D, C, I 1173 50.98
Craig A. Shufelt R, Ref. 1127 48.98
State Supreme Court Justice (1)
Christina L. Ryba D, W, I 14263 53
Norman C. Massry R, C, Ref. 12619 46.89
Albany County Executive (1)
Daniel P. McCoy* D, C, I 38573 68.71
Francis J. Vitollo R, Ref. 15062 26.83
Daniel J. Plaat Green 2361 4.21
Albany County Comptroller (1)
Michael F. Conners II D, C, I 39877 73.1
Cornelius W. Donovan R, Ref. 14604 26.77
Albany County Coroner (2)
Timothy J. Cavanaugh D, C, I 38254 36.44
John G. Keegan D, C, I 37102 35.35
David J. Carhart R, Ref. 15129 14.41
Michael W. Leonard R, Ref. 14379 13.7
Legislator District 14 (1)
Alison C. McLean Lane* D, Green, W, I 1017 64
Allan P. Rea R, C, Ref. 571 35.93
Legislator District 19 (1)
Todd A. Drake R, C, I, Ref. 1086 53.9
Timothy Nichols* D, W 929 46.1
Legislator District 21 (1)
J. Brian Hogan* R, C, Ref. 850 53.9
Caron O’Brien Crummey D, I 727 46.1
Legislator District 22 (1)
Peter B. Tunny* R, C, I, Ref. 875 56.23
Nicholas J. Viggiani, Jr. D, W 681 43.77
Legislator District 23 (1)
Paul Burgdorf R, C, I, Ref. 1479 58.71
Benjamin H. Syden D 1036 41.13
Legislator District 25 (1)
Joseph E. O’Brien* D, W, I 982 62.19
Vincent J. Perry, Jr. R, C, Ref. 597 37.81
Legislator District 27 (1)
Frank A. Mauriello R, C, I, Ref. 919 61.8
Karen A. Wilson D 568 38.2
Legislator District 29 (1)
Mark E. Grimm R, C, Ref. 1312 65.27
David B. Cardona D, I 696 34.63
Legislator District 31 (1)
Travis D. Stevens* R, C, I, Ref. 1158 55.17
Nicholas J. Viscio D 940 44.78
Legislator District 32 (1)
Paul Miller D, W 920 65.76
Mary Lou B. Connolly* C, I 479 34.24
Legislator District 33 (1)
William W. Reinhardt D, W 922 42.47
Herbert W. Reilly, Jr* I 640 29.48
Andrew S. Holland R, C, Ref. 609 28.05
Legislator District 34 (1)
Joanne E. Cunningham D 1396 54.53
Douglas A. Schulz R, C, Ref. 858 33.52
Thomas J. Cotrofeld, Jr.* I 304 11.88
Legislator District 35 (1)
Charles S. Dawson, Jr.* D, C 1439 55.54
Kate C. Pope R, I, Ref. 1148 44.31
Legislator District 36 (1)
Richard W. Mendick* R, C, I, Ref. 1072 54.97
Matthew J. Miller D, W 876 44.92
Legislator District 38 (1)
Michael Mackey* D, C, I 932 54.95
Timothy W. Stanton R, Ref. 764 45.05
