Benson Wins New Lebanon Supervisor Race By Wide Margin

by Thaddeus Flint
The Town of New Lebanon has elected a new Town Supervisor. Republican Mike Benson, with 439 votes to the Democratic incumbent Margaret Robertson’s 266 votes, took the Town’s top position with just over 60% of the vote.
Benson thanked his wife, children and other supporters for contributing to his victory.  “I am really proud of the race that our team ran,” said Benson.
The recent collapse of the Hannaford Supermarket project in New Lebanon was no doubt on the minds of voters as they went to the polls Tuesday, and Benson will have his hands full when he takes office in January.  Benson, though, is confident. “I believe the Route 20-22 corridor gives us the opportunity to attract new development to our Town. A review of the projects, proposals and opportunities before the Town will help ensure we can hit the ground running early next year,” he said.
The race for Town Justice is still in doubt. The polls show incumbent Democrat Darcy Poppey as the winner for the moment by two votes, with 350 votes to Republican Jack Nevers’ 348.  There are still, however, the absentee ballots to count so Poppey is not popping the champagne just yet. “It  is not over,” she said, “I believe there are many absentees. Whether I am able to continue my judgeship or not, I can say without a doubt, I did right by my fellow residents and I am proud of the accomplishments I made for the Town of New Lebanon.”
Nevers is never one to say never. His wife, June, said, “Jack says it was a good race and he’s still confident.”
According to New Lebanon Town Clerk Colleen Teal “tomorrow [November 10] they will begin the hand count of the machine ballots. This will continue until all of the machine ballots are counted. The deadline for receipt of mailed absentee ballots at the BOE is November 15. On November 18, they will begin the count of the affidavit and absentee ballots for all of the races in all of the municipalities and this will continue until completed.” The Board of Elections will announce each race separately once it is certified. “They will not wait until all counting is done to certify all races at once,” stated Teal.
Democrat Matt Larabee took the largest share of the votes in the race for a spot on the Town Board. With 383 votes he will replace an empty folding chair the current Board kept around instead of filling the vacant position with a human being.  Democratic incumbent Bruce Baldwin followed with 333 votes and will remain on the Board. Chuck Geraldi had 319 votes and Robert Smith 271.
Running uncontested, the incumbent Town Clerk, Colleen Teal, won with 630 votes, the incumbent Highway Superintendent, Jeff Winestock, received 602 votes and the incumbent Tax Collector, Tammie Darcy, collected 650 votes.