Elmira Mayor Dan Mandell wins reelection over challenger Jim Hassell, council races tight

Jeff Murray, Elmira Star-Gazette
·2 min read

Incumbent Republican Dan Mandell cruised to victory over Democratic challenger Jim Hassell on Tuesday to win his third term as mayor of Elmira.

Mandell captured nearly 60 percent of the vote, with 1,429 votes to 983 for Hassell, with eight write-in votes.

"I call that a landslide. I'm very happy about that," Mandell said after the vote.

Mandell, a U.S. Air Force veteran who retired in 2014 after a 26-year career with the Chemung County Sheriff's Office, won his first term in 2015 when he easily defeated incumbent Democrat Susan Skidmore.

Elmira Mayor Dan Mandell
Elmira Mayor Dan Mandell

Hassell has lived in Elmira since 2000 and is a retired teacher of French and Spanish.

Hassell said he learned a lot walking the streets of the city during his run, and might consider running for local office again.

"I'm a political animal. I have a lot to offer the city," he said. "I think I can jump start it to a really wonderful future. So it is something I might think about."

Jim Hassell
Jim Hassell

Mandell, who said he was surprised at the low voter turnout, gave Hassell credit for working hard on his campaign.

Now that Mandell has clinched another term, he said his top priority going into 2024 is economic development, especially on Elmira's Southside.

"The first thing is to get a DRI (Downtown Revitalization Initiative) grant. We hope to get that to rebuild the Southside," he said. "We want to put money into Brand Park. That's one of many goals."

More: Election results from Chemung, Steuben, Tioga, Schuyler counties

Elmira City Council results

There were contested races in five of the six Elmira City Council districts as well. Many of the races were too close to call.

Here are the latest results:

  • First District: Nick Grasso, (incumbent) Democrat/Elmira First Party, 31. Patrick Griffin, Republican/Conservative, 16. Elijah McGee, New Generation Party, 4.

  • Second District: Corey Cooke, (incumbent) Democrat, 8. Charles Cerio, Republican/Conservative/Elmira Revival Party, 9.

  • Third District: Joseph Duffy, (incumbent) Republican, 17.

  • Fourth District: Mark Franchi, (incumbent) Republican/Conservative, 127. J. Gary Brinn, Democrat, 128

  • Fifth District: Jackie Wilson, Democrat/Bipartisan Party, 262. Marilyn Paolo, Republican/Conservative, 188. Fidel Rivera, We the People Party, 12

  • Sixth District: Nanette Moss, (incumbent) Republican/Conservative/Hometown Elmira Party, 275. Craig Colwell, Free People Party, 114. Kevin Sullivan, Action Party, 61.

All results reported by the Chemung County Board of Elections are unofficial at this time. For more results from across Chemung, Steuben, Tioga and Schuyler counties, visit www.stargazette.com/elections/results/local

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This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Elmira election: Mayor Mandell wins third term, council races tight