Albany Mayor Beats Democratic Primary Challenger

By Dave Lucas

Albany, NY – Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings has beat back a Democratic primary challenge from Common Councilman Corey Ellis. Capital District Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.

Councilman Corey Ellis gave Incumbent Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings a solid challenge, in a race much closer than a Siena Research Institute Poll had figured: With 100 percent of the districts reporting, Jennings had 7,615 (56 percent) votes to Ellis's 5,971 (44 percent). The Siena poll had given Jennings a 21-point lead over Ellis.

The 61-year-old Jennings is a former school administrator and councilman. He was first elected in 1993 and has the Conservative Party line. He lists among his accomplishments $6 billion in investment in the city, a shrinking number of vacant and abandoned buildings and declining violent crime.

The 38-year-old Ellis is a former union organizer who was elected to the Common Council in 2005. He criticized Jennings on issues including deteriorating neighborhoods and gangs. Ellis had a new ax to grind on election night: there were voting machine glitches at some of the voting districts. Board of Elections officials said problems with voting machines were "quickly fixed" - whether Ellis decides to continue campaigning, his name will appear on the ballot on the Working Families Party line.

Jennings now faces Republican Nathan Lebron in the November 3rd general election. Democrats outnumber Republicans in Albany enrollments 11 to 1.

Longtime city Treasurer Betty Barnette went down in defeat to Katherine Sheehan 8,090 to 4,797 - Barnette's loss being attributed to Albany's so-called "Ghost Parking Ticket" controversy... Sheehan will face Republican Mary Ann McGinn in November.

Councilwoman Carolyn McLaughlin was picked as the Democratic candidate for president of the Common Council, defeating Leonard Ricchiuti.

In the race for chief city auditor, Leif Engstrom led Darius Shahinfar by 225 votes - that contest that will be determined when absentee ballots are counted. 1,053 absentee ballots were issued and 701 had been returned by Tuesday. The chief city auditor replaces the elected comptroller. The new post was approved during a vote on city charter.

Albany County Board of Elections officials say that voter turnout was low to moderate.

In Saratoga County town supervisor races, in Republican primaries Malta incumbent Paul Sausville defeated councilwoman Suzanne Daley-Nolen and Milton incumbent Frank Thompson defeated challengers John Olenik and John Frolish.