Update: Democrat McLoughlin and GOP’s Szymanski win seats on town council, swinging board to Dems
Democrat Kara McLoughlin and Republican incumbent Rae Szymanski were elected to four-year terms on the Pelham Town Council, as McLoughlin took first handedly with a 415-vote margin over Szymanski, according to the latest unofficial counts from the Westchester Board of Education website posted at 1:18 a.m.
Republican Tade Reen finished in third, while Democrat Solange Bitol-Hansen, who was on the ballot though she’d dropped out of the race in June, finished in fourth. GOP Councilman Timothy Case did not seek reelection.
With McLoughlin’s win, the Democrats will hold a majority on the five-member town board for the first time in decades, perhaps its history. GOP Supervisor Dan McLaughlin, who ran unopposed, sits on the board, which also includes Democratic councilwomen Kristen Burke and Maura Curtin, both elected two years ago.
The other two Town of Pelham races only had Republican incumbents running, putting Town Clerk Antoinette Clemente back in office for two years and Town Receiver of Taxes Catherine Mazzaro for four.
In the Village of Pelham, the unopposed Democratic slate was confirmed. Incumbents include Mayor Chance Mullen and trustees Mike Carpenter and Lisa Hill-Ries. Newcomer Donald Otondi will join the village board.
The vote totals in the town board race:
- Kara McLoughlin (D): 1,707 votes (32%)
- Rae Szymanski (R): 1,292 votes (24%)
- Tade Reen (R): 1,226 votes (23%)
- Solange Bitol-Hansen (D): 1,075 votes (20%)
Bella is a senior at Pelham Memorial High School. She plays field hockey and golf, is on the Pelican Yearbook Staff and is the President of the Pelham...
MARTHA-LEE Bohn • Nov 3, 2021 at 10:38 pm
Women have never held a majority on the Town Council! This is wonderful! 4 out of 5 Council members are now women! Wow!