A Good Night For Incumbents
Petersburgh Highway Superintendent Change Rejected
by Doug La Rocque
Congressional Representatives Antonio Delgado, Elise Stefanik and Paul Tonko were all re-elected Tuesday, although the margin for victory for Representative Delgado was closer than most had anticipated. His Republican challenger Kyle Van De Water actually carried Rensselaer County, by a 52 to 48 percent margin, although the incumbent Delgado won the overall race by a 50 to 47 percent margin, the remaining vote being split between two minor party candidates.
“The people of New York’s 19th Congressional District have made their voices heard and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve again,” Rep. Delgado said. “With all election districts reporting, I am leading by over 7,000 votes and the data shows that our margin of victory will grow once absentee ballots are accounted for.”
Representative Paul Tonko, who represents Troy and some other western portions of the county easily defeated his Republican opponent Liz Joy. Mr. Tonko claimed 56 percent of the Rensselaer County votes cast, and won the district wide contest by the same margin.
Representative Elise Stefanik represents all of southern Washington County, including White Creek and Cambridge. She defeated Democrat Tedra Cobb for the second time, claiming 61 percent of the ballots cast.
State Senate
Republican State Senator Daphne Jordan was successful in her bid for a second term in office, turning back Patrick Nelson from Schuylerville by a 57 to 42 percent margin. In Rensselaer County, she won nearly 61% of the vote, while edging Mr. Nelson in Columbia County by nearly 600 votes. She carried Cambridge and Easton in Washington County by a two to one margin.
The Senator told The Eastwick Press Tuesday night “The voters have spoken, and we did it! It looks like my Senate re-election campaign has won by a margin of more than 20,000 votes. I want to thank everyone who voted, volunteered, went door-to-door, made calls, sign waved, liked, and shared my social media posts, helped me, and made our campaign so successful! I’m especially proud that we ran a positive campaign based on issues, not negative personal attacks. I’m humbled and honored to have the strong support of voters and, as Senator, I’ll remain focused on delivering real results that make a positive difference for everyone. Thank you!”
In the small western portion of Rensselaer County represented by long time Senator Neil Breslin, he claimed 70% of the vote over Republican Challenger David Yule. Senator Breslin was easily re-elected by his entire district as well.
State Assembly
Republican Jake Ashby of Castleton was re-elected in the 107th district for the second time, having won a special election and then a full term in 2018. He defeated Democratic challenger Brittany Vogel of Brunswick 58 to 40 percent, with minor party candidates receiving the rest of the vote. In Rensselaer County, his margin of victory was slightly higher, with nearly 61% of the ballots cast in his favor. In the Washington County communities of Cambridge and White Creek, Assemblyman Ashby defeated Ms. Vogel by slightly more than 450 votes, and beat her by about 50 votes in the six Columbia County towns he represents.
Following his election night victory, the Assemblyman wanted to thank his family and staff for their hard work on the re-election effort, and also thanked his opponent for running a good issue oriented campaign. He said, “I look forward now to the next legislative session and addressing the issues facing the 107th district.”
Assemblyman John McDonald, who represents Troy and western county communities, was easily returned to office, winning 57% of the county vote over Republican Petros Papanicolaou.
No Change In Petersburgh
With several people having held the post of Highway Superintendent in very recent years, the Town Board decided to put a possible change in that position, from elected to appointed, on Tuesday’s ballot. The residents of the town spoke loudly, defeating the proposal by a 377 to 192 margin. Adam Beaudry is the acting Highway Superintendent, and was the only person on the ballot Tuesday. With 474 votes, he will take over as Superintendent on January 1. Councilman Tom Berry, who was appointed to the board last year after Denise Jason-Church’s resignation, won the seat in his own right. Again, his was the only name on the ballot.
Other Results
Ken Margot was re-elected Town Justice in Pittstown. His was the only name on the ballot.
Barbara Hansen was chosen to be Town Clerk in Sand Lake, also having run unopposed.