Challenger concedes -- Mahan wins third term as Colonie town supervisor

PHOTOGRAPHER: Bethany Bump

Incumbent Paula Mahan has won a close race for town supervisor, as her Republican challenger Denise Sheehan announced today that she is conceding the race.

“Earlier today, I called Supervisor Mahan to congratulate her on winning a tightly contested and spirited race,” Sheehan said in a statement released today. “With a vote margin this close, I felt it was important that the absentee ballot process was carried out to ensure every vote counted and I appreciate everyone’s patience during that process.”

Albany County Board of Elections officials began counting 954 absentee ballots for the town supervisor race Wednesday and predicted a final tally wouldn’t be available until today or even Monday.

“We had representatives there, we had been tracking it yesterday and today,” said Sheehan’s spokesman Michael Fraser, of the counting process. “That is what obviously prompted today’s announcement.”

Sheehan said she ran for the position out of concern for the overall direction of the town and the decisions leaders were making. She said that although she’s disappointed with the outcome of the race, she is proud of the campaign she ran, as well as the support and issues brought to light.

“It was an honor and privilege for me to be a candidate for supervisor and this campaign was a great experience for me,” said Sheehan. “I’m grateful for the opportunity I had to connect with the community and meet thousands of residents who shared my concerns and supported my positions on the significant issues facing the town. I’m hopeful that this race has provided residents of the town with a renewed sense of the importance of their voices and that they will actively participate in town government to ensure their concerns are being addressed.”

Mahan, a Democrat, was leading Sheehan by 296 votes when polls closed Nov. 8.

She will now serve a third two-year term at a salary of $118,229.