Claire Hughes is reporting in the Times Union Republican Steve McLaughlin was sworn in as Rensselaer County executive at the county courthouse January 1. “I fought hard to get to this office,” McLaughlin said. “I want you to know I will fight even harder for Rensselaer County.” McLaughlin won the county executive seat in a tight race against Democrat Andrea Smyth. His character came into question during the campaign, after a recording of a vulgar conversation McLaughlin had with an Assembly aide surfaced. The 53-year-old Troy resident said he is looking forward to having a clean slate in 2018, following the controversies in 2017. In his remarks, the former state Assembly member outlined his priorities for the county, including the development of the Hudson River waterfront in the Schodack area around routes 9 and 20, and expansion of broadband services to areas that are still without adequate internet access. The swearing-in ceremony for county legislators, Troy City Council members and others, was attended by various public officials, including U.S. Rep. John Faso and former Congressman John Sweeney. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.