Election results listed here are unofficial. Absentee ballots that were postmarked by Election Day, Nov. 7, and arrive by Nov. 14 will be counted in the final tallies. Detailed results can be found at the Board of Elections websites for Dutchess and Columbia Counties.
In the race for Dutchess Count legislator for the 19th District, Democrat Chris Drago held a 60-vote lead (1,942–1,882) over incumbent Republican Gregg Pulver, the chairman of the legislature, who was seeking his sixth two-year term. In a long political career that included service as Pine Plains town supervisor and as a Pine Plains school board member, this would mark Pulver’s first defeat. Pulver, a Pine Plains native, led Drago in that town’s voting, but Drago had strong results in the other towns in the district (Milan, North East, Stanford and eastern Red Hook).
Pine Plains
With the retirement of long-serving Town Board members Don Bartles and Sarah Jones, two open seats were at stake. In the Election Day count, Democrats Jeanine Sisco (463 votes) and Kevin Walsh (384 votes) led over Republicans Paul Murphy (374) and James Smith (354).
Rich Brenner (R) defeated Stella Isaza (D) for the Town Justice position by a vote of 427 to 359. Incumbent Carl Baden (D) handily won the Highway Superintendent post over Lisa Ambrose (R) by a 610 to 192 margin.
In uncontested races, Brian Walsh was reelected town supervisor and Madelin Dafoe was reelected town clerk.
Stanford
Democrats looked likely to prevail in the contested races. In her bid for a third term as town supervisor, Wendy Burton held a commanding 730–571 lead over Bill Harklerode. Julia Descoteaux (663 votes) and and Eric Haims (644) were ahead of Republican candidates Joe Colclough (616) and Adrienne Zetterberg (612). Both Descoteaux and Haims would be new to the board.
In the uncontested races, Ritamary Bell (town clerk), Jim Myers (highway superintendent) and Dennis Buchal (town justice) were reelected.
Milan
It was a clean sweep for incumbents in the Town of Milan. Supervisor Alfred LoBrutto, Council members Debra Blalock and Kevin Pike, Highway Superintendent Glenn Butler and Assessors Elizabeth Burns and Michael Ferrante were all running unopposed.
Ancram
Voters in Ancram were evenly divided and close races. With absentee ballots pending, David Boice (R) led the Town Council candidates with 355 votes, followed by Colleen Lutz (D), who received 353; they’re frontrunners for the two open seats. Bob Roche (D) got 336 votes and John Ingram (R) 324.
Incumbent Councilwoman Bonnie Hundt (D) had hoped to succeed outgoing Supervisor Art Bassin but appeared to come up short against James MacArthur (R), who led 362–335.
In uncontested races, Monica Cleveland was reelected town clerk and James Miller was reelected highway superintendent.
Gallatin
Incumbents John Reilly (supervisor), Lisa DeLeeuw (town clerk), Eric Mortenson (town justice) and Jeff Jorve (councilmember) were unopposed, as was newcomer Sara McGhee (councilmember). All were running on the Democratic line as Republicans in Gallatin failed to put up candidates in this year’s election.