Adam Bello gives his victory speech Tuesday night after defeating incumbent Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo. Republicans have held the Monroe County executive seat for nearly 30 years.
Following Tuesday’s elections, the results of several county executive races statewide show a number of close races, as well as landslides, with some candidates winning by as little as 1 percent and others running virtually unopposed.
Democrat Patrick Ryan coasted to victory over his conservative opponent Jack Hayes in Ulster County. Ryan took 64 percent of the vote compared to 35 percent for Hayes. This will be Ryan’s first full term. He took office in April after a special election was called to fill the remainder of former county executive Mike Hein’s term, who had resigned a month earlier.
Democrats also took Monroe County for the first time in almost 30 years, with Democrat Adam Bello defeating Republican opponent Cheryl Dinolfo by a slim 51-to-49 percent margin.
“Tonight we begin a new chapter in our community’s history,” Bello said in a victory speech aired by WXXI News. “A new era of progress, a vision of opportunity for everyone. No matter who you are, who you know, or where you live. We will begin building a future we can be proud of, and most importantly, that our children can be proud of. I am grateful, I am humbled, and I am deeply honored that you have chosen me to lead you to the future as your next Monroe County executive.”
Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone was re-elected on Long Island, giving Democrats yet another win. Bellone took 55 percent of the vote against his Republican opponent John Kennedy Jr., who garnered 43 percent of the vote. The Libertarian candidate, Gregory Fischer took 1 percent of the vote.
“Tonight the people of Suffolk have spoken. And they made it clear that they want the progress to continue,” Bellone said via Twitter on Tuesday night.
Albany County unsurprisingly saw a Democratic win, with Daniel McCoy defeating Libertarian candidate Robert G. Porter. Porter did however manage to take 10 percent of the vote against McCoy’s 89 percent.
In Erie Country, Republican Lynne Dixon conceded victory to Democratic incumbent Mark Poloncarz. She had 46 percent of the vote compared to his 53 percent.
Republican Marc Molinaro held his seat in Dutchess County, staving off a challenge by Joseph Ruggiero, a Democrat from Wappingers Falls. Molinaro won with 58 percent of the vote, as opposed to Ruggiero, who took 41 percent.
Onondaga County also saw a Republican win; Ryan McMahon defeated Democratic challenger Tony Malavenda 55 -to-45 percent.
