Puccioni leads in Niskayuna; 6-vote margin in Rensselaer

Mclaughlin wins another term in Rensselaer County

Niskayuna appears to be headed to another split government, with voters leaning toward a Democrat for supervisor replacing one of the two Democratic incumbents on the Town Council with a Republican.

Supervisor Yasmine Syed, a Republican, did not run for reelection, spurring a contest between Democrat Jaime Puccioni and Republican Hamayun Faizy. Puccioni was ahead with 3,120 votes to 2,596 for Faizy, in unofficial results that do not include absentee ballots.

In the Town Council race, Republican Jason Moskowitz was leading with 3,045 votes. Democratic incumbent John Della Ratta received 2,663 votes and Democratic incumbent Denise

Murphy Mcgraw received 2,602 votes, making that race too close to call. Republican Susan Walker polled 2,482.

Democrat Jessica Brennan won the unexpired term seat with 3,200 votes to 2,417 for Republican Dave Feiden.

The may reflect how torn voters said they were as they tried to decide on Election Day.

Voters interviewed at the polls said they were dissatisfied with their choices. Some said they wished they could choose “none of the above” for supervisor.

“We don’t have a great choice. We were trying to decide what to do,” said resident Barbara Dworkin. “It’s our duty to vote, but we’re not happy.”

Other voters said the incumbents on the Town Council were the problem.

“Do you see what the Democrats are doing? It’s a train wreck,” said voter David Doin, who chose all Republicans.

Some said the real issue was a lack of togetherness between the supervisor and the council.

“The lack of working together on the police situation, for instance,” said voter Alan Holmes, who voted for Puccioni in hopes she could usher in a more civil working environment.

Glenville

In Glenville, incumbent Republican Supervisor Chris Koetzle was well ahead with 3,973 votes over 2,006 votes for Democrat Michael Aragosa.

Rensselaer

Incumbent Republican Mike Stammel has a six-vote lead over Richard Mooney for the mayor’s seat in the city of Rensselaer. Mooney is a former mayor. Officials said 288 absentee ballots went out, with at least 178 returned Monday.