Carolyn McLaughlin

Although city voters kept Mayor Kathy Sheehan for a second term in November, Albany is losing a city hall fixture in the new year. Carolyn McLaughlin was elected to the Albany Common Council in 1997, representing the Second Ward. The Democrat most recently served as Common Council President, a city-wide office, capping a public service career that spans two decades. McLaughlin, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor, is being succeeded by Common Council President-elect Corey Ellis. McLaughlin sat down this week with WAMC’s Capital Region Bureau Chief Dave Lucas.

Voters in the city of Albany have made their choices in the pivotal primary election.

In just a few hours, months of campaigning in Albany will be over. Here's a look back at the mayoral race on this primary day.

It’s all about turnout in today’s pivotal Albany primaries. Candidates relish the final showdown.

With current Albany Common Council President Carolyn McLaughlin running for mayor in tomorrow’s pivotal primary, three Democrats are vying to replace her.

One day before votes are cast in the key Democratic primary, a new poll shows Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan holding strong.

One week from primary day, there are four mayoral debates to go in Albany.

Less than two weeks before primary day, the Albany Democratic mayoral candidates were back on the dais last night, fielding questions on issues unaddressed in previous forums. For the first time, they were joined by Green Party candidates.

Once again, the three Democratic candidates for Albany mayor will get together for a pre-primary debate tonight. This time they will be joined by Green Party candidates.

The three Democratic candidates for Albany mayor debated for the second time Tuesday night at the Times Union’s Hearst Media Center before a capacity crowd.

Officials in several states are calling for the removal of statues and monuments along with the renaming of buildings and streets associated with the Confederate States of America. 

The Democratic candidates for mayor of Albany debated for the first time last night ahead of September’s pivotal primary. WAMC's Capital Region Bureau Chief Dave Lucas caught up with them after the event.

The Democratic candidates for mayor of Albany debated for the first time last night ahead of September’s pivotal primary.

Ahead of the pivotal September 12 primary, three leading Democrats aspiring to get the party nod in the race for mayor of Albany are debating for the first time tonight.

Democrats in Albany appear to favor incumbent Mayor Kathy Sheehan for another term as mayor. Figures are in from a new Spectrum News/Siena College poll.

Following the derailment of a train heading for Selkirk last week, the Albany County Executive is renewing concerns about shipping crude through the city.

With September fast approaching, the city of Albany's political climate is heating up as mayoral candidates strive to bring their messages to the citizens.

Tuesday represents another mile-marker for citywide races in Albany: June 6th, when candidates begin building their petitions.  Among those gathering signatures - the incumbent mayor and her latest challenger.

City Hall is defending itself after Albany Common Councilor and Democratic mayoral candidate Frank Commisso, Jr. called a press conference this morning to focus attention on an independent report regarding city finances.

Across the city of Albany, the political scene is heating up as the pivotal September Democratic primary approaches.

Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan has announced a series of Solid Waste Management Plan Community Meetings, as the city landfill nears capacity.

As top Albany Democrats get ready for campaign season, some familiar faces are jumping into citywide races as well.

Former two-time mayoral candidate Corey Ellis is back in Albany politics, running for common council president.

Albany Common Council member Frank Commisso Jr. recently tossed his hat in the ring in a bid to capture the Democratic Party’s mayoral nomination. The son of the County Legislature’s majority leader, Commisso joins a field already featuring Common Council President Carolyn McLaughlin and Green Party hopeful Dan Plaat. First-term Democratic incumbent Kathy Sheehan has not yet announced a reelection bid. Commisso sat down Wednesday with WAMC's Capital Region Bureau Chief Dave Lucas.

Albany Common Councilor Frank Commisso Jr. has joined the short list of mayoral candidates. WAMC's Dave Lucas attended Commisso's official announcement Thursday.

With the incumbent’s candidacy still unclear, another candidate has entered the race for mayor of Albany.

Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan has delivered her last State of the City address ahead of the November election. Reviews were mixed — and potential rivals were watching closely.

Despite non-stop protesting by disgruntled union workers and citizens calling for justice for Dontay Ivy, Albany Mayor Sheehan delivered her State of the City address Wednesday night at City Hall. This is raw audio of the entire presentation. More tomorrow, including a breakdown and reaction from others, including declared mayoral candidate Carolyn McLaughlin, on WAMC.

With Mayor Kathy Sheehan in the last year of her first four-year term, another Democrat sees the political climate in Albany as ripe for change. Albany Common Council President Carolyn McLaughlin has announced she'll run against the incumbent and believes she has answers to some of the problems the city is facing. McLaughlin sat down with WAMC's Capital Region Bureau Chief Dave Lucas to discuss her platform.