KINGSTON – Democrats kept their tight grip on the Kingston Common Council, while not quite gaining control of the Ulster County Legislature, during Tuesday’s local elections. The city common council remains with an 8-1 Democratic majority.
The mood was celebratory inside Democratic City headquarters in Midtown Kingston after the tally was counted. “It feels ecstatic, I’m in heaven, floating on a cloud right now,” said city Democratic Chairman Joseph Donaldson. He attributed the result to hard canvassing and lots of legwork.
Kingston Mayor Steven Noble was on hand to congratulate the winners, telling them he looks forward to working with them next year on the common council. “We did an amazing job getting out the message of inclusivity, respect, and working hard,” he said, offering consolations to the one loser in Ward 7, Bryant Drew Andrews.
The new 7th Ward Alderman-elect, Patrick O’Reilly, a non-enrolled candidate running on the Republican, Democrat, Independence and Conservative lines, beat challenger Bryant Drew Andrews, who ran on the Working Families line. Despite being dominated with multiple parties, Andrews received 226 votes, compared to O’Reilly’s 556.
Newcomer Andrea Shaut, a Democrat, beat incumbent Republican Deborah Brown, 367-288. The upset surprised observers in the Republican-leaning 9th Ward. “I’m still a little in shock, I feel humbled that so many people went out to vote for me,” Shaut said after her victory.
A West Point piano teacher, Shaut is a fellow Class of 2000 Kingston High School alumnus with Mayor Noble. “I think I’m good with people, and they were connecting with me. I’m driven and compassionate, and I think that resonated,” she said.
Jeff Morell, another Democratic newcomer, beat Republican challenger Michael Russell, 432-273, in the 1st Ward. Democrat Rennie Scott-Childress beat Republican challenger Ellen DiFalco, 510-237, in the 3rd Ward. Majority leader Democrat William Carey beat Republican Teryl Mickens, 263-164, in the 5th Ward. Democrat Steven Schabot beat Republican James Rodden, 320-183, in the 8th Ward.
2nd Ward alderman Douglas Koop, 4th Ward candidate Rita Worthington, and 6th Ward Alderman Anthony Davis, all Democrats, ran unopposed.
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