Thane, Wierzbicki, Chiara ruled winners in Amsterdam races

PHOTOGRAPHER: Bethany Bump

With absentee ballots counted today, incumbent Democrat Ann Thane has been unofficially declared the city’s next mayor, winning re-election in a close race with Republican former mayor Joseph Emanuele III.

Montgomery County Democratic Election Commissioner Jamie Duchessi said Tuesday night he could not provide vote totals, including absentee ballots counted today, but he confirmed that unofficial ballot counts as of Tuesday night did confirm apparent winners in the city of Amsterdam.

The race for city controller is no longer up in the air, either, after absentee ballot counts sent Democrat Ronald G. Wierzbicki into the lead over Republican Matthew A. Agresta.

The race for 5th ward supervisor has been decided, as well, with write-in challenger and former city assessor Michael Chiara ousting incumbent Karl Baia from his seat. Absentee voters wrote in five names for the seat, but Chiara took the most, Duchessi said.

Prior to Tuesday, there had been 193 outstanding absentee ballots citywide. Election commissioners began the absentee ballot count today after the three city races had been too close to call on Election Day.

Absentee ballots for city races will be recounted Wednesday, but vote totals won’t be confirmed until votes for town races have also been counted, Duchessi said.