Dorcey Applyrs will become the City of Albany’s first Black woman mayor.
During her victory speech at Tuesday’s watch party, Applyrs said it is her turn to carry the torch left by her predecessors.
“Now it’s my turn — it’s my turn to do the same, to make sure every young person in this city knows that they belong, that they have a seat at the table, and that they can build a future right here in our city. You don’t have to go anywhere,” Applyrs said.
The 43-year-old claimed a landslide victory Tuesday, garnering 83 percent — more than 12,000 votes — in Albany’s mayoral election.
Her Republican opponent, entrepreneur Rocco Pezzulo, received 13 percent of the vote.
Applyrs is no stranger to Albany politics. She has served as the city’s chief auditor since 2020 and previously served two terms on the Common Council.
She was endorsed by current Mayor Kathy Sheehan and supported by state Sen. Patricia Fahy, Assemblymember Gabriella Romero and U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko.
On the campaign trail, Applyrs spoke about improving public safety, curbing violence and “making Albany fun again.” Come January, the clock will begin ticking on Applyrs’ first 100 days in office.
Applyrs said she is ready to begin transforming the city on day one.
“And I really meant it when I said, ‘today is about governing.’ We have convened members of my transition team here today — we are already hitting the ground running,” Applyrs said.
As of Wednesday, the mayor-elect has launched a new initiative and accompanying website called Activate Albany.
Part of the initiative includes a team dedicated to guiding Applyrs’ transition into the new role.
The transition team is made up of a talent committee — responsible for recruiting people into the administration — and an Activate Albany committee, which will oversee what Applyrs calls the city’s largest-ever civic engagement effort to gather residents’ input on shaping the city’s future.
The Activate Albany committee will also be responsible for building a policy agenda for the Applyrs administration.
Applyrs said the talent team will be instrumental in building a strong administration.
“It’s a new day, and we want to make sure that we are attracting individuals who have things to offer — who have gifts and talents,” Applyrs said.
She added that the Activate Albany committee’s work will help inform an action plan for her administration.
“That will serve as my north star and compass as it relates to my administration’s mandate and policy priorities to serve the City of Albany,” she said. “What I would like to impress upon our residents and business owners is that I’ve heard you, I feel you, and we, too, are ready to get to work to transform our city.”
Members of Applyrs’ transition team include Maria College President Lynn Ortale, Broadview CEO Michael Castellana, University at Albany President Havidán Rodríguez, and Albany County Young Democrats President and Tonko aide Manik Elahi.
Applyrs said a survey to gather public input as part of the Activate Albany initiative will launch Jan. 1.
