Albany

Mayor Kathy Sheehan cruised to another four-year term as Albany's leader Tuesday, while many other city-elected positions will be filled with new faces.

In a city of heavy Democratic enrollment, Sheehan held a commanding lead against challenger Councilman Frank Commisso Jr., who was on the Independence Party line, with over 70 percent of the votes as of 10:30 p.m., according to unofficial results from the Albany County Board of Elections.

Conservative Joseph Sullivan and Green Party candidate Bryan Jimenez trailed with both having less than 5 percent of votes each.

"We spent four years creating the foundation that we needed to move the city forward," Sheehan said. "With rezone in place, with the investments we've made in technology and with the focus we've had in building a bridge and creating a budget we can deliver on year after year, we're poised to accelerate."

Sheehan faced a contentious primary, winning with less than 50 percent of the vote against Commisso and Council President Carolyn McLaughlin in September.

Democrats Corey Ellis, Darius Shahinfar and Susan Rizzo also all held commanding leads for Common Council president, treasurer and chief auditor respectively.

Ellis, who won the primary against 5th Ward Councilman Mark Robinson and Albany County Legislator Chris Higgins, garnered nearly 84 percent of votes against Robinson, who was on the Conservative line.

Shahinfar, the Albany incumbent treasurer, also captured a large percentage of votes — nearly 83 percent against Arbor Hill Republican Roberta Sims. Rizzo, who won in the primary, again defeated former Councilman Glen Casey — running on the Reform Party line — with 87 percent of votes.

In the 11th Ward council contest, incumbent Judd Krasher conceded the race to Alfredo Balarin, who won the Democratic primary, shortly after 10 p.m.

"It was a long race, but I'm very excited for all the hard work we have ahead of us," Balarin said. "We'll focus on targeted initiatives in specific areas – this is the part I've been looking forward to, the work."

In the days leading up to the general election, the race became mired in controversy surrounding spikes in absentee ballots with Krasher tied to the alleged misuse.

As of Tuesday, 219 absentees were issued, with 88 received. Unofficial results show machine counts at 185-131.

The rest of the Common Council races also held commanding leads Tuesday night:

Ward 1: Incumbent Democrat Dorcey Applyrs was ahead of Independence candidate John Williamson with 78 percent of the vote.

Ward 2: Democrat Derek Johnson was ahead of Working Families candidate Marc Johnson with 58 percent of the vote.

Ward 3: Joyce Love held a sound lead ahead of incumbent Ron Bailey, who was on the Working Families and Independence lines. Bailey lost to Love in the Democratic primary.

Ward 4: Incumbent Kelly Kimbrough ran unopposed.

Ward 5: Jahmel Robinson, who won the Democratic primary against three challengers including Malcom Thorpe, was unopposed in the general election.

Ward 6: Incumbent Richard Conti had a sound lead ahead of Independence candidate Jim Ader with 82 percent of votes.

Ward 7: Incumbent Cathy Fahey was ahead of Working Families candidate Sergio Adams with 70 percent of votes counted.

Ward 8: Incumbent Jack Flynn kept a strong lead against Conservative Gerard McNamara with 83 percent of votes.

Ward 9: Incumbent Judy Doesschate held a strong lead against Al Thoma, who ran as an independent, and Conservative John Mahoney, with nearly 81 percent of votes.

Ward 10: Owusu Anane, who won the Democratic primary against incumbent Leah Golby, secured the seat Tuesday despite Golby's attempts to wage a write-in campaign. Anane captured 75 percent of the votes, with 172 reported write-ins.

Ward 12: Incumbent Michael O'Brien ran unopposed.

Ward 13: Ginnie Farrell, who won the primary, kept a strong lead against Joanne Genovese – who ran on the Independence line – and Republican Timothy Looker with nearly 74 percent of votes.

Ward 14: Incumbent Joseph Igoe ran unopposed.

afries@timesunion.com • 518-454-5353 • @mandy_fries