In the Republican primary for Saratoga County sheriff, Michael Zurlo declared victory a short time ago in his race against Jeff Gildersleeve.

"This is nice. It really is." Zurlo said. "It's been a great journey. I worked hard. You people worked hard. And the result can be seen tonight."

With 88 percent of precincts reporting, Zurlo, a retired lieutenant in the sheriff's department, had 51 percent of the vote to 48 percent for Jeff Gildersleeve, a retired State Police investigator.

Zurlo led by 407 votes. Officials said 979 absentee ballots were sent to voters in the county, and 493 were returned by Tuesday. They must be postmarked by Monday.

The winner will face Phil Lindsey of Moreau in a general election for the four-year sheriff seat. The winner in November will succeed longtime sheriff James Bowen.

Meanwhile, in Albany, Democrat Kathy Sheehan declared victory in the Democratic primary for Albany mayor Tuesday night, setting herself on the path to be the first woman to lead the state's capital city.

"We have tremendous amount of work ahead of us," she told supporters. "Thank you so much and lets celebrate."

Sheehan addressed the crowd just 45 minutes after the polls closed. With 87 percent of the vote counted, Sheehan had 66 percent of the vote to Corey Ellis' 29 percent. Because of the heavy enrollment edge in Albany victory in the primary will be tantamount to victory in November's general election.

She thanked her husband, son and campaign workers. She then asked the crowd to toast her parents.

"The woman standing here before you is quite simply the product of two loving, selfless and wise individuals," Sheehan said.

A host of other primaries that will decide who gets on the party line in November's.

In the Democrats' primary for Albany treasurer, Darius Shahinfar defeated Gary Domalewicz in the race for the seat currently held by Sheehan. Shahinfar had 61 percent of the vote and Domalewicz had 34 percent. With now Republican in the general election, Shahinfar will be the next treasurer.

Several common council seats are on the ballot.

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Unofficial results in other races:

Family Court Schenectady County

In Schenectady County, Kevin Burke beat Jill Polk in the Democratic and Working Families primaries. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Burke had 59 percent of the vote to Polk's 41 percent in the Democratic primary though the margin was closer in the Independence Party primary.

Polk is a lawyer who has worked in family court, while Burke is an assistant county attorney who is assigned to Family Court. According to their campaigns, Polk has been a trial attorney for the Commission on Judicial Conduct since 2008 and Burke has been most recently the county's chief prosecutor of child abuse and neglect. Since Republicans are not running a candidate, the winner of the Democratic primary is essentially the next Family Court judge.

Saratoga County sheriff

Albany County Family Court judge

In Albany County, Susan Kushner had 59 percent of the vote in the primary against Rika Murray. They are vying for the right to run as the Democratic party candidate for Albany County Family Court judge in November. The position carries a 10-year term.

Rika Murray has worked in the Family Court system for 24 years, including as a confidential law clerk. Kushner has practiced exclusively in Albany County Family Court representing indigent people in custody, visitation, child protective and family offense cases, according to her website.

Albany County Family Court Judge Dennis Duggan, 63, who has held the position since 1994, officially announced he wants to fill the seat of state Supreme Court Justice George B. Ceresia who will reach the mandatory retirement age of 70 this year.

Troy Council 6th district

Three term councilman Gary Galuski and political newcomer Emily Rossier were separated by just one vote with all precincts reporting. They squared off in the Democratic primary for the 6th Council District. Galuski, 53, was seeking/seeks his fourth two-year term.

The Republican-Conservative-Independence candidate is Emanuel Ned.

Malta supervisor

Councilman Peter Klotz Sr. opposes incumbent Supervisor Paul Sausville in the Republican party race that revolved around managing growth in the town that hosts the GlobalFoundries chip manufacturing plant.

Cynthia Young is the Democratic candidate in November. The supervisor's salary is $30,902. A $19,500 stipend is paid to the supervisor for representing the town on the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors.

In another contentious race for town justice, town Republicans were choosing between attorney Steve Gottman, 44, and retired state trooper Ellwood Sloat Jr., 60. Incumbent James McKevitt stepping down at the end of the year.

Duanesburg supervisor In a campaign revolving around the town's surplus, Republicans in Duanesburg are deciding between Roger Tidball and William Park as their standard-bearer in November for supervisor. Seeking Republican slots for the two council seats are Laurie Meyer, Daniel Houlihan Jr., Charles Leoni and Randy Passonno.

Jean Frisbee is the Democratic supervisor candidate in November. Democrats are also backing candidate John Peters for Town Board, but don't have a second candidate.

The winner of the supervisor's race will succeed incumbent Rene Merrihew, who is not seeking re-election.