Democrats Hold Edge in Dutchess and Columbia County, Trump Wins Nationally in Historic Election

On Tuesday, Nov. 5, voters in Pine Plains, Ancram, Gallatin, Milan and Stanford participated in a national election that saw Republican Donald J. Trump re-elected as president at age 78. Yet in New York — and especially across Dutchess and Columbia counties — Democratic candidates garnered the majority of votes.

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand won re-election, and incumbent Rep. Pat Ryan (18th District) retained his Congressional seat. State Sen. Michelle Hinchey and Assemblymember Didi Barrett, both Democrats, held onto their seats in the State Legislature. Meanwhile, Democrat Josh Riley (19th District) unseated Republican Marcus Molinaro.

In the closely watched Dutchess County comptroller race, incumbent Gregg Pulver faced Democrat Dan Aymar-Blair, with absentee ballots still being counted as of Thursday evening.

Presidential Race

As of Thursday evening, with 98% of votes counted, the Associated Press projected that the Democratic ticket of Kamala D. Harris and running mate Tim Walz narrowly carried Dutchess County, securing 52.2% of the vote against 47.8% for Trump and his running mate, J.D. Vance. In Columbia County, the Harris/Walz ticket won comfortably, securing 56.19% of the vote.

In Dutchess County, the Harris/Walz ticket narrowly edged out Trump/Vance with 75,795 votes to 69,307. Town-by-town results varied, with Trump taking Pine Plains by 24 votes, 668 to 644. Meanwhile, Milan and Stanford’s first district leaned toward Harris, while Trump narrowly took Stanford’s second district. Ancram favored Harris with Gallatin’s two electoral precincts splitting between candidates. 

U.S. Senate Race

Gillibrand, cross-endorsed by the Democratic and Working Families parties, won across both Dutchess and Columbia counties with 55.01% of the vote, totaling 78,744 votes to Republican Michael D. Sapraicone’s 63,715. In Pine Plains, Milan and other areas, Gillibrand held a decisive edge. 

Congressional, State Senate and Assembly Races

Pat Ryan carried Pine Plains, Milan, and Stanford in his victory over Republican Alison Esposito. Hinchey took Milan, both of Ancram’s election districts and Gallatin’s second election district and Stanford’s first election district in defeating Republican Patrick Sheehan. In unseating Marcus Molinaro, Josh Riley carried Ancram and Gallatin’s second election district. 

In beating challenger Stephan Krakower in the 106th Assembly District, Barrett easily carried Pine Plains, Ancram, Milan, Gallatin and Stanford. 

Proposal 1

Voters also approved Proposal 1, a state constitutional amendment to protect against unequal treatment based on factors including ethnicity, gender identity, and reproductive healthcare rights. A majority of voters across the Herald’s service area supported the amendment; however, that majority was narrow in Pine Plains, with only a 40-vote margin. In Stanford’s southern election district, seven more people voted against the measure than in favor.

Dutchess County Comptroller

Republican A. Gregg Pulver held a 475-vote lead over Dan Aymar-Blair, per the Dutchess County Board of Elections. However, this margin may shift once the roughly 1,600 absentee ballots are tallied. Milan favored Aymar-Blair while Pulver won a majority of votes in Pine Plains and Stanford. 

Stanford Town Board 

On election night, it appeared that Theodore Secor had lost his seat on the Stanford Town Board to Republican challenger Adrienne Zetterberg by 22 votes, however 51 absentee ballots remain uncounted as of Nov. 13 according to town officials.

Here are how votes were cast in Pine Plains, Ancram, Milan, Gallatin and Stanford, according to the Dutchess and Columbia County Board of Elections: 

Pine Plains

President and Vice President

Kamala D. Harris and Tim Walz 

Democratic Party: 576

Working Families Party: 66

Total Votes: 642

Donald J. Trump and JD Vance 

Republican Party: 614

Conservative Party: 54

Total Votes: 668

Write-in: 14 

U.S. Senator 

Kirsten E. Gillibrand 

Democratic Party: 604

Working Families Party: 102 

Total Votes: 706

Michael D. Sappracone 

Republican Party: 521

Conservative Party: 53

Total Votes: 574

Diane Sare 

LaRouche Party: 6

Write-in: 1 

18th U.S. Congressional District

Pat Ryan 

Democratic Party: 596

Working Families Party: 78 

Total Votes: 674

Alison Esposito

Republican Party: 560

Conservative Party: 58

Total Votes: 618

Write-in: 1

41st State Senate District

Michelle Hinchey

Democratic Party: 559

Working Families Party: 83

Total Votes: 642

Patrick Sheehan 

Republican Party: 567

Conservative Party: 57

Total Votes: 624

Write-in: 0 

106th State Assembly District

Didi Barrett

Democratic Party: 655

Total Votes: 655

Stephan L. Krakower

Republican Party: 532

Conservative Party: 59

Total Votes: 591

Write-in: 1

Dutchess County Comptroller 

Dan Aymar-Blair

Democratic Party: 445

Working Families Party: 50

Total Votes: 495

A. Gregg Pulver

Republican Party: 716

Conservative Party: 79

Total Votes: 795

Write-in: 0

Proposal 1 

Yes: 663

No: 623

Milan 

President and Vice President

Kamala D. Harris and Tim Walz 

Democratic Party: 771

Working Families Party: 85

Total Votes: 856

Donald J. Trump and JD Vance 

Republican Party: 543

Conservative Party: 71

Total Votes: 614

Write-in: 9 

U.S. Senator 

Kirsten E. Gillibrand 

Democratic Party: 784

Working Families Party: 111 

Total Votes: 895

Michael D. Sappracone 

Republican Party: 488

Conservative Party: 67

Total Votes: 555

Diane Sare 

LaRouche Party: 6

Write-in: 1 

18th U.S. Congressional District

Pat Ryan 

Democratic Party: 771

Working Families Party: 103

Total Votes: 874

Alison Esposito

Republican Party: 511

Conservative Party: 71

Total Votes: 582

Write-in: 2

41st State Senate District

Michelle Hinchey

Democratic Party: 763

Working Families Party: 97

Total Votes: 860

Patrick Sheehan 

Republican Party: 510

Conservative Party: 71

Total Votes: 581

Write-in: 2

106th State Assembly District

Didi Barrett

Democratic Party: 861

Total Votes: 861

Stephan L. Krakower

Republican Party: 493

Conservative Party: 73

Total Votes: 566

Write-in: 2

Dutchess County Comptroller 

Dan Aymar-Blair

Democratic Party: 693

Working Families Party: 95

Total Votes: 788

A. Gregg Pulver

Republican Party: 564

Conservative Party: 79

Total Votes: 643

Write-in: 0

Proposal 1 

Yes: 886

No: 559

Stanford Election District 1

President and Vice President

Kamala D. Harris and Tim Walz 

Democratic Party: 509

Working Families Party: 45

Total Votes: 554

Donald J. Trump and JD Vance 

Republican Party: 455

Conservative Party: 58

Total Votes: 513

Write-in: 15

U.S. Senator 

Kirsten E. Gillibrand 

Democratic Party: 530

Working Families Party: 61

Total Votes: 591

Michael D. Sappracone 

Republican Party: 420

Conservative Party: 58

Total Votes: 478

Diane Sare 

LaRouche Party: 5

Write-in: 0

18th U.S. Congressional District 

Pat Ryan 

Democratic Party: 534

Working Families Party: 50

Total Votes: 584

Alison Esposito

Republican Party: 429

Conservative Party: 56

Total Votes: 485

Write-in: 0

41st State Senate District

Michelle Hinchey

Democratic Party: 515

Working Families Party: 48

Total Votes: 563

Patrick Sheehan 

Republican Party: 433

Conservative Party: 63

Total Votes: 496

Write-in: 0

106th State Assembly District

Didi Barrett

Democratic Party: 581

Total Votes: 581

Stephan L. Krakower

Republican Party: 410

Conservative Party: 58

Total Votes: 468

Write-in: 2

Dutchess County Comptroller 

Dan Aymar-Blair

Democratic Party: 471

Working Families Party: 48

Total Votes: 519

A. Gregg Pulver

Republican Party: 475

Conservative Party: 71

Total Votes: 492

Write-in: 0

Proposal 1 

Yes: 567

No: 507

Stanford Town Board 

Theodore Eagleson Secor 

Democratic Party: 550

Total Votes: 550

Adrienne Zetterberg

Republican Party: 429

Conservative Party: 61

Total Votes: 490

Stanford Election District 2

President and Vice President

Kamala D. Harris and Tim Walz 

Democratic Party: 509

Working Families Party: 45

Total Votes: 554

Donald J. Trump and JD Vance 

Republican Party: 455

Conservative Party: 58

Total Votes: 513

Write-in: 15

U.S. Senator 

Kirsten E. Gillibrand 

Democratic Party: 530

Working Families Party: 61

Total Votes: 591

Michael D. Sappracone 

Republican Party: 420

Conservative Party: 58

Total Votes: 478

Diane Sare 

LaRouche Party: 5

Write-in: 0

18th U.S. Congressional District 

Pat Ryan 

Democratic Party: 534

Working Families Party: 50

Total Votes: 584

Alison Esposito

Republican Party: 429

Conservative Party: 56

Total Votes: 485

Write-in: 0

41st State Senate District

Michelle Hinchey

Democratic Party: 515

Working Families Party: 48

Total Votes: 563

Patrick Sheehan 

Republican Party: 433

Conservative Party: 63

Total Votes: 496

Write-in: 0

106th State Assembly District

Didi Barrett

Democratic Party: 581

Total Votes: 581

Stephan L. Krakower

Republican Party: 410

Conservative Party: 58

Total Votes: 468

Write-in: 2

Dutchess County Comptroller 

Dan Aymar-Blair

Democratic Party: 471

Working Families Party: 48

Total Votes: 519

A. Gregg Pulver

Republican Party: 475

Conservative Party: 71

Total Votes: 546

Write-in: 0

Proposal 1

Yes: 512

No: 519

Stanford Town Board 

Theodore Eagleson Secor 

Democratic Party: 464

Total Votes: 464

Adrienne Zetterberg

Republican Party: 479

Conservative Party: 67

Total Votes: 546

Ancram Election District 1

President and Vice President

Kamala D. Harris and Tim Walz

Democratic Party: 283 

Working Families Party: 19

Total votes: 302 

Donald J. Trump and JD Vance

Republican Party: 211 

Conservative Party: 19

Total votes: 230 

Write-in: 6 

U.S. Senator 

Kirsten E. Gillibrand 

Democratic Party: 295

Working Families Party: 26 

Total votes: 321

Michael D. Sappracone 

Republican Party: 190 

Conservative Party: 15 

Total votes: 205

Diane Sare 

LaRouche Party: 3

Write-in: 0 

19th U.S. Congressional District 

Josh Riley 

Democratic Party: 275

Working Families Party: 24 

Total Votes: 299

Marcus Molinaro 

Republican Party: 218

Conservative Party: 19

Total Votes: 237

Write-in: 3

41st State Senate District

Michelle Hinchey 

Democratic Party: 283

Working Families Party: 27 

Total Votes: 300

Patrick Sheehan 

Republican Party: 198

Conservative Party: 16

Total Votes: 214

Write-in: 2

106th State Assembly District

Didi Barrett

Democratic Party: 316

Total Votes: 316

Stephan L. Krakower

Republican Party: 190

Conservative Party: 19

Total Votes: 209

Write-in: 2

Proposal 1

Yes: 314

No: 213

Ancram Election District 2

President and Vice President 

Kamala D. Harris and Tim Walz

Democratic Party: 213 

Working Families Party: 18 

Total votes: 231

Donald J. Trump and JD Vance

Republican Party: 200 

Conservative Party: 15 

Total votes: 215

Write-in: 1 

U.S. Senator 

Kirsten E. Gillibrand 

Democratic Party: 212

Working Families Party: 29

Total votes: 241 

Michael D. Sappracone 

Republican Party: 181 

conservative party: 12

Total votes: 193 

Diane Sare 

LaRouche Party: 4

Write-in: 1

19th U.S. Congressional District 

Josh Riley 

Democratic Party: 203

Working Families Party: 24 

Total Votes: 227

Marcus Molinaro 

Republican Party: 201

Conservative Party: 13

Total Votes: 214

Write-in: 0 

41st State Senate District

Michelle Hinchey 

Democratic Party: 208

Working Families Party: 27 

Total Votes: 235

Patrick Sheehan 

Republican Party: 185

Conservative Party: 13

Total Votes: 198

Write-in: 0

106th State Assembly District

Didi Barrett

Democratic Party: 233

Total Votes: 233

Stephan L. Krakower

Republican Party: 186

Conservative Party: 12

Total Votes: 198

Write-in: 0

Proposal 1 

Yes: 247

No: 188

Gallatin – Election District 1 

President and Vice President 

Kamala D. Harris and Tim Walz

Democratic Party: 277 

Working Families Party: 37 

Total votes: 314

Donald J. Trump and JD Vance

Republican Party: 301 

Conservative Party: 28 

Total votes: 329

Write-in: 5 

U.S. Senator

Kirsten E. Gillibrand 

Democratic Party: 275

Working Families Party: 58

Total votes: 333 

Michael D. Sappracone 

Republican Party: 273 

Conservative Party: 28

Total votes: 301 

Diane Sare 

LaRouche Party: 0

Write-in: 1

19th U.S. Congressional District

Josh Riley 

Democratic Party: 263

Working Families Party: 46 

Total Votes: 309

Marcus Molinaro 

Republican Party: 302

Conservative Party: 32

Total Votes: 334

Write-in: 0 

41st State Senate District

Michelle Hinchey 

Democratic Party: 273

Working Families Party: 44 

Total Votes: 317

Patrick Sheehan 

Republican Party: 284

Conservative Party: 34

Total Votes: 318

106th State Assembly District

Didi Barrett

Democratic Party: 324

Total Votes:  324

Stephan L. Krakower

Republican Party: 274

Conservative Party: 33

Total Votes: 307

Write-in: 0

Proposal 1 

Yes: 349

No: 281

Gallatin – Election District 2

President and Vice President

Kamala D. Harris and Tim Walz

Democratic Party: 176

Working Families Party: 12 

Total votes: 188

Donald J. Trump and JD Vance

Republican Party: 99 

Conservative Party: 7 

Total votes: 106

Write-in: 2 

U.S. Senator

Kirsten E. Gillibrand 

Democratic Party: 175

Working Families Party: 16

Total votes: 191 

Michael D. Sappracone 

Republican Party: 91 

Conservative Party: 8

Total votes: 99 

Diane Sare 

LaRouche Party: 0

Write-in: 0

41st State Senate District

Michelle Hinchey 

Democratic Party: 171

Working Families Party: 15 

Total Votes: 186

Patrick Sheehan 

Republican Party: 98

Conservative Party: 7

Total Votes: 105

Write-in: 0

106th State Assembly District

Didi Barrett

Democratic Party: 193

Total Votes: 193

Stephan L. Krakower

Republican Party: 91

Conservative Party: 7

Total Votes: 98

Write-in: 0

Proposal 1 

Yes: 194

No: 92