Voters in Rensselaer County made it clear that they “Believe in Steve” Tuesday night.
Voters re-elected Republican County Executive Steve McLaughlin to a third term in a 53% to 46% vote.
Speaking with WAMC after his victory speech, McLaughlin said that in his next four years he’d like to prioritize water and sewer infrastructure projects and more.
“My plan is redo Van Rensselaer Manor, continue infrastructure projects, hopefully get a bike trail built between the city of Troy and city of Rensselaer and build a sports complex for the kids,” McLaughlin said. “I mean, those would be some pretty epic achievements over the next couple years.”
McLaughlin defeated political newcomer Tiffani Silverman. The Democrat campaigned on a promise to increase transparency of county operations. Silverman said McLaughlin and his administration haven't done enough to improve infrastructure or economic development, nor have they considered the local impact of the Trump administration. Her loss comes at a time when Democrats swept many state and local elections across the nation as voters opposed moves by President Donald Trump’s administration, like cuts to energy programs for low-income families and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs.
Silverman was short in her concession speech, thanking her supporters.
“I wouldn't have made it this far, this long, without the support of all of you cheering me along, holding me up, making me laugh, making me smile, telling me I can do it,” Silverman said.
In his eight years as county executive, the former state Assemblyman has cut property taxes and boosted sales tax revenue, paved every county road – that initiative finished up last week – addressed aging infrastructure and supported the county's elderly among other things.
Both McLaughlin and Silverman took to social media during their campaigns to name call and point fingers. McLaughlin kept the narrative up even after declaring victory when we spoke Tuesday night.
“She's a complete fraud,” Mclaughlin said. “I cannot believe that anybody bought into her nonsense, but we're gratified. You know, we do a lot of work for the people of Rensselaer County, and thankfully, a large majority of them recognize that.”
Elsewhere in the county, Troy’s City Council will see a big change in the new year.
Democrats flipped three seats on the council, securing a 7-0 majority for the Democrats and giving them control for the first time since 2023.
It comes as the city's Republican mayor is working to get legislation passed to relocate City Hall. The council's current Democratic minority oppose the plan saying it's fiscally irresponsible. Meantime the current council's Republicans are seemingly gung-ho on the idea.
Council President Sue Steele, who was not up for re-election this year, says the mayor should hold off on her plan to discuss a new City Hall until the new council is seated.
“I would urge the mayor to pause and take a moment, take a breath, and let's not vote Thursday night on city hall,” Steele said. “Let's open up the process, which is what the people want. They want to be heard, and they want a say in what happens, let's not commit future generations of Trojans, 30 years’ worth of lease payments on an unpopular proposal.”
Mantello told WAMC that she’s not going to halt her plans. She says that despite council Democrats saying the plan is rushed, it has been well thought out and the council’s incoming Democrats won’t hinder her plans to move forward with a new City Hall.
“If we started yesterday, absolutely. It's been a year and 10 months, and we made it very clear from my onset, winning as mayor, that we were going to look for a permanent City Hall, financially, accessibility, parking, everything, pride and tonight, we will continue with that mission,” Mantello said.
In the races for county legislature, Republicans held onto their majority.
Meanwhile, Democrats flipped three seats on Troy’s City Council, giving the party a 7-0 majority -- Democrats' first majority since 2023.
In the city of Rensselaer, Democrat John DeFrancesco topped incumbent Mayor Mike Stammel, 54% to 45%.
And in a state-wide race in upstate, Democrat William Little defeated Republican Dana Salazar in the race for a seat on New York’s state Supreme Court. Little had been serving in an acting position for the Third Judicial District, replacing incumbent John Egan, who is retiring.
