TROY – Republican candidate Kim Ashe-McPherson has apparently been elected to the 2nd Council District seat after affidavit and absentee ballots were counted Monday.

According to unofficial returns from the Rensselaer County Board of Elections Monday, Ashe-McPherson defeated Democrat Mary Sweeney by 17 votes, 534-517.

If the result stands, Democrats will hold a slim 4-3 City Council majority in 2020.

The Democrats challenged 22 ballots, which were left unopened.

Democratic Elections Commissioner Edward McDonough said there were concerns about ballot fraud, leading to the challenges of the Nov. 5 election. McDonough said the Democrats have investigators checking into the challenges. The Democrats have until Thursday to decide whether to press for a court challenge on the 22 ballots.

Republican Elections Commissioner Jason Schofield said Ashe-McPherson has won the election. He said he would like to see the 22 ballots opened and counted.

Ashe-McPherson is a former at-large member of the council. Two at-large seats were eliminated when the council size was reduced to seven from nine council members. Ashe-McPherson, an enrolled Conservative, would join fellow Republicans, Council President Carmella Mantello and 1st District Councilman Jim Gulli on the council. The elected Democrats are 4th District Councilman Anasha Cummings, former Councilman Ken Zalewski, who will represent the 5th District again, Susan Steele in the 3rd District and Eileen McDermott in the 6th District.

By holding three seats, the Republicans can deny the Democratic majority the ability to issue bonds to borrow money. At least five council members must approve a bond issue.