At the end of primary day, a three-vote margin separated the two Republican candidates for New Windsor Town Supervisor.

The Orange County Board of Elections reported that former Assemblyman and Congressional candidate Colin Schmitt tallied 754 votes, while Council Member Stephen Bedetti took 751 total votes in the June 27 primary election. Two write-ins were also accounted for.

“Tonight’s primary results show that every vote truly matters,” Schmitt said in a statement released late last Tuesday. “After a hard fought campaign, we are currently up three votes with 100% reporting,” he said. “We appreciate all who voted and participated in this election. In the coming days my campaign team will work to ensure the integrity of the electoral process and that every legal vote is counted. We feel confident once that process plays out it will affirm my win on the Republican Line tonight and allow our town to unify towards the future.”

Bedetti was not prepared to concede.

“I would like to thank all those people who supported me and came out to the polls on Tuesday,” Bedetti said. “The final count is in the hands of the Orange County Board of Elections at this point. The race is still too close to call. I’m optimistic that the outcome can still be favorable. Regardless of the outcome after the absentee and affidavit count as well as the recount, I will still be on the ballot come November on the New Windsor Strong Line “NW Strong.”

Heading into November, the New Windsor residents will also have the opportunity to cast their votes for town board candidates Charles Broe (R) and Sylvia Santiago [D] and town clerk candidates Kelly Allegra [D] and Patricia Clarino [R].

City of Newburgh
Democratic Primary
Anusha B. Mehar and Robert D. McLymore led the race for Democratic Party nominee for the Newburgh City Council. The race had five candidates seeking two council seats.

A total of 1,558 votes were reported, with McLymore leading the way with 459 and Megar with 386.

Rounding out the field, candidates Bryan Luna collected 224 total votes, Gay Lee recived 120 votes and Incumbent Councilman Omari Shakur received 359 votes. Ten write-ins were also recorded.

“We are honored and humbled by the overwhelming support that we received from our community in the primary election. City of Newburgh is my home, and I look forward to serving our great community as a member of the Council,” said McLymore following Tuesday’s results. “The primary was the first step, but not our final step. We will work just as hard to win your support for the general election in November. Thank you again to everyone who took time out to vote and make your voice heard. We are looking forward to serving all of Newburgh.”

“I am grateful to the Newburgh community for their vote of confidence to represent them and a progressive agenda for our city, and to my small but mighty team without whom, this win would not have been possible. It was an honor to work alongside them in strategy and courageous action, and to connect with voters across our city to learn more about the collective ideas, dreams and goals held for our future,” said Mehar. “Hats off to all four other candidates, who ran strong campaigns, sacrificed much and dedicated their time, energy and resources to mobilizing people across our city. Tuesday’s low voter turnout reminds us that we all have much work to do to improve electoral participation in Newburgh—in office and in the community. The people have real power in their vote in local elections. I look forward to amplifying that in the months to come before the general election.”

Luna issued a statement of congratulations to the other candidates that would be moving forward and said he would not be seeking a recount at this time. Shakur declined to comment.

“First, I want to say that I’m pleased that the two candidates won. Anyone that stands up in the City of Newburgh to claim their desire to make some kind of change here, that presumably helps everyone, is a good candidate,” said Lee following Tuesday night. “The problems in the City of Newburgh are deep and wide. It takes ambition to want to be a council member. It also takes a lot of time, a lot of energy, and a lot of listening to what the public has to say because your job is to work with everyone. So I think that the city is in good hands with the two candidates.”

Heading into the November election, City of Newburgh residents will also cast their votes for Torrance Harvey [D] who seeks re-election as Mayor while candidates John Giudice [R] and Hael Stewart-Fisher [Independent] seek the seat as well. Stewart-Fisher will be running on the Liberty of Newburgh line. Christine Bello [R] and Donald Rehrey Jr [R] will both seek the at-large seats this coming fall.