Hornell election: Republicans take 9 of 10 seats on Common Council. What to know
Republicans will hold nine of 10 seats on the Hornell Common Council when it convenes in January after Tuesday's election saw GOP candidates take all four contested races.
In the 1st Ward, David Sutfin ousted Democratic incumbent Melissa Ponticello, with Sutfin picking up about 66% of the vote, according to unofficial results from the Steuben County Board of Elections.
In the 4th Ward, Republican Steve Peck defeated Democrat José Cruzado. Peck earned 67.5% of the vote to win his first term on the city council. Republican Mike Morey did not seek reelection to the 4th Ward seat.
Republican Lita Brown defeated Democrat John Bradley in the 6th Ward. Brown earned about 67% of the vote. Brown will start her first full two-year term in January. She was appointed to the Hornell Common Council to fill a vacancy in September 2022.
More: See countywide election results for Steuben, Allegany counties
Republican James M. Bassage Sr. won a seventh term in the 8th Ward. Bassage turned aside a challenge from Democrat Sean Stewart by picking up 73% support from 8th Ward voters.
Republicans Christina Hancock (2nd Ward), Joseph McKay (3rd Ward), Daniel Warriner (5th Ward), Kevin Valentine (7th Ward) and Robert Colucci (9th Ward) all won running unopposed.
Longtime Democratic incumbent John Carbone was attempting to fight off a challenge from independent Tiffany Patterson in the 10th Ward. Carbone led after election night by six votes, 33-27, according to the Steuben County Board of Elections' unofficial results. If Carbone holds his lead, he will be the only Democrat on the council next year.
The Steuben County Board of Elections said Wednesday it is working to determine if any absentee ballots remain to be counted in the 10th Ward.
Common Council shifts towards Republicans in recent election cycles
The Common Council was evenly split, 5-5, between Republicans and Democrats until the 2021 election, when the GOP won a 7-3 supermajority. Tuesday's results continued the trend.
"This is an exciting day for all of our Republican candidates but especially for the candidates who had contested seats," said Paul Van Caeseele, the Hornell GOP Committee Chairman. "The committee and I are looking forward to supporting continued progress in Hornell's bright future and wish godspeed to all members of the common council."
Steuben County Democratic chair Shawn Hogan noted the Democratic Party had several fresh candidates step forward this election cycle to give voters an option on the ballot.
"I am encouraged that we challenged the worthy opposition in five wards," said Hogan. "We had three candidates that had never been involved in the political process, it was new for them. I commend them for entering the arena. They worked hard."
More: What Hornell Common Council candidates were saying before election day
Other Hornell area election results
Van Caeseele ran unopposed and was reelected to his District 1 seat on the Steuben County Legislature representing the City of Hornell. Republican Brian Schu ran unopposed in District 6 representing Hornellsville, Hartsville and Dansville.
In Hornellsville, Dan Broughton's reelection bid for the town supervisor position was unopposed. James Giglio (R) and Robert Mauro (D) secured seats on the town council.
Canisteo's Town Supervisor position will be determined by write-ins, as will Greenwood's town justice and a seat on Greenwood's council.
In Wayland, Democratic town supervisor John Malter held off a challenge from Republican Gary Willyerd and a write-in campaign to win reelection.
For a full list of results in Steuben and Allegany counties, visit www.eveningtribune.com/elections/results/local
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This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Republicans win big in Hornell, taking 9-1 control of Common Council
