Kamal Johnson was elected the first African-American mayor in Hudson, New York on Nov. 5. Johnson won with 70 percent of the votes, 926, to incumbent Rick Rector, who lost a Democratic primary to Johnson and then abandoned a campaign on the Republican, Conservative, and Independance lines, but still got 395 votes. Johnson spoke at his campaign headquarters at 704 Columbia Street just after finding out the results. PLAY EXCERPT HERE. Also in Hudson, Democrat Tom DePietro, the incumbent, beat Republican Rob Bujan 763-to-480 votes. In Hudson's Second Ward Abdus Miah, running on Democrat, Republican, Conservative, and Independence lines, beat Willette "Shell" Jones on the Working Families line 124-to-73. In the Fourth Ward, Democrats Malachi Walker and John Rosenthal won with 161 and 141 votes, with Republican Rich "Trixie" Volo at 81 votes.

There were two countywide elections of interest. In Greene County, Republican Peter Kusminsky got just under 72 percent of the vote for sheriff, 6,401 to Independence candidate Diana Benoit, who received 2,505 votes out of almost 9.000 cast. In Columbia County, incumbent Columbia County District Attorney Paul Czajka, a Republican, once again held off Democrat Eugene Keeler, leading by a wide margin with some votes still left to count.

Odd-year town elections, though, are often decided by just a few votes. In Catskill incumbent Town Supervisor Doreen Davis, a Democrat, lost by two votes, 1,292-to-1,290, to Republican Dale S. Finch. Absentee ballots could determine that contest. Also in Catskill, Republicans got the most votes for two town council seats. Patrick A. McCulloch got 1,831, and Paul H. Vosburgh, Jr. received 1,581, beating Democrat Mark A. Vian with 901 votes. Three Republicans in Catskill were also unopposed: Elizabeth C. Izzo for town clerk; Shawn W. Beers for highway superintendent; and Sam Aldi for tax collector.

In Cairo, Republican John Coyne won the battle of the former town supervisors. Coyne, with 636 votes, beat independent Sherry B. True with 549 votes, Democrat Ted Banta with 440, and current supervisor Dan Benoit, who said he was not running after being put on the Conservative line, received 84 votes. Republicans took two seats on the town board in Cairo, with Stephen L. Kralovich, with 962 votes, and Timothy Powers, with 897 votes, beating Democrats Lewis M. O'Connor, with 679 votes, and William F. Scheriff with 506. Republican Arthur J. Evans III got 1,125 to Democrat Michael C. Maderic, who received 517 votes for highway supervisor. Republicans Kayla L. Warner and Susan B. Hilgendorff were unopposed in Cairo for town clerk and tax collector.

In Windham just 29 votes were cast, 17 for Democrat Nicholas P. Bove and 12 for Republican Thomas F. Hoyt in an election where the town's Democrat party chairperson attempted to keep the eventual winner off the ballot. The town council race might not be settled yet with Republican Kurt T. Goettsche at 17 votes, Democrat Natasha I. Shuster at 16 votes, and Republican Stephen J. Walker at 14 votes. Republican Maureen P. McCarthy was unopposed for town justice; as was Republican Bonnie L. Poehmel for town clerk; and Republican Katherine Murray for tax collector.

In Athens, Republicans Shannon A. Spinner, with 566 votes, and Michael J. Ragaini, with 556 votes, beat Democrats Michael N. Pirrone, with 494 votes, and Phyllisann Dinkelacker, with 407 votes. Republican Robert F. Butler, Jr. was unopposed for town supervisor but still had 31 write-in votes for other candidates. Republican Timothy G. Mercer beat Democrat David G. Cole 559-top-488 for town justice. Republican Linda M. Stacey beat Conservative candidate Cheryl L. Alberti 741-to-159. And John J. Farrell was unopposed for Athens Highway Supervisor.

Republican Marilyn Farrell was unopposed for Greene County Clerk, and Republicans Richard E. Vigilo and Paul R. Seney, Jr. won Greene County Coroner positions. In Hunter, the resolution passed 483-to-245.