DELHI - Voter turnout was strong in the 2026 general election in Delaware County, often seen as a “mid-term,” due to the presidential election calendar.
Delaware County voters made greater use of early voting this election cycle, with 2,916 ballots cast before Election Day - more than three times the 877 early votes recorded in 2025. The total also surpassed the 1,733 early voters in 2022, the last gubernatorial election year, though it remained below the 4,012 ballots cast early during the 2024 presidential election. The numbers suggest early voting has become a more widely used option among county voters, extending beyond presidential election years.
Winners of Contested Races
Former Hancock Supervisor Sam Rowe, running on the Republican and an independent line, unseated incumbent Jerry Vernold, who lost the Republican primary to Rowe by a vote of 229 to 114 in June. Vernold ran on the Conservative and an independent line in the general election. In Tuesday’s vote, Rowe outpaced Vernold by a vote of 663 to 387.
Of the win, Rowe said, “I am deeply grateful to the people of Hancock for giving me another opportunity to serve our community. The unofficial results are certainly encouraging, and I am humbled by the confidence the voters have placed in me. Having served as supervisor for 16 years, I understand the responsibilities of this office. I also recognize that the challenges facing Hancock today are different from those we faced when I previously served.
I want to thank Jerry Vernold for his years of service to our town. I know firsthand the time, effort, and personal sacrifices that come with public office, and I sincerely wish him well.
This election was never about returning to a position I once held. It was about offering my experience and a renewed commitment to helping Hancock move forward.
I’m particularly excited about the opportunity to work with Blaise Bojo as deputy supervisor. I believe combining experience with the ideas and perspectives of a younger generation is important to our community’s future.
There are difficult decisions ahead, particularly concerning town finances, infrastructure, flood protection, and economic development. I have no illusions about the amount of work involved.
My intention is to approach those challenges with an open mind, a willingness to listen, and a determination to find solutions.
I am grateful for this opportunity, but I also recognize that the real responsibility begins now.
Hancock deserves our very best effort, and that is exactly what I intend to give.”
Incumbent Supervisor Maya I. Boukai, running on an independent Democrat line bested challenger former Supervisor Mark Tuthill who ran on the Republican and Conservative line 875 to 572.
Thanking Delhi for placing a vote of confidence in her leadership, Boukai said, “I’m so thankful for the vote of confidence from my Delhi neighbors; Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. I look forward to finishing the great work on all the projects we’ve started together.”
Incumbent Republican Supervisor James G. Ellis retained his seat against challenger Stephanie H. Munro who ran on the Democtratic and an indepenent line by a vote of 410 to 364.
Democrat Thomas J. O’Brien who ran on the Democratic and on an independent line, bested incumbent Allen R. Hinkley, who ran on the Republican, Conservative and independent party lines, by a vote of 720 to 351.
O’Brien said, “I want to thank all of the community members that supported me for this position. I will advocate for and work on developing strong partnerships and help develop strategies on how to manage and forecast the town’s economic and financial future. We must work together to continue to help improve our town. I wish Allen Hinkley the very best in his future endeavors and he should be honorably recognized for the years of public service he has provided the town and county.”
In Hamden, Republican candidate Wayne L. Shepard, who also ran on an independent line, defeated Democrat Jonathan C. Kilday by a vote of 375 to 231. Shepard succeeds retiring Supervisor Wayne Marshfield.
Uncontested supervisor seats include:
• Andes - Ritchie Gabriel (Republican)
• Colchester - Robert W. Hafele (Republican)
• Davenport - Timothy S. Kelso (Republican)
• Franklin - Donald Smith (Republican)
• Middletown - Glen A. Faulkner (Democratic and independent lines)
• Stamford - John S. Kosier (Republican)
• Walton - Joseph M. Cetta (Republican)
• Kortright - George E. Haynes Jr. (Republican)
• Masonville - Betty L. Scott (Republican)
Incumbent town clerks Cathy Roloson, Hamden, Sonja Johns, Franklin, Kristin Craft, Kortright, and Carrie Hewitt Choquette, Bovina, ran unopposed on the Republican line and were re-elected.
Incumbent Hamden town justice Gay Merrill ran unopposed on the Republican line. Jennifer L. Valentine ran unopposed as a Republican for Deposit town justice.
Fifty six candidates filed for local offices countywide, including town supervisor, highway superintendent, clerk, tax collector, justice and state committee positions.
In the town of Andes, John R. Bouton was reelected on the Republican line for superintendent of highways. Kenneth R. Eck Jr. was reelected as a Republican for highway superintendent in Colchester, while Jamie D. Archibald was reelected as Franklin highway superintendent on the Republican line. In Hamden, Rodney Tweedie was reelected on the Republican line for highway superintendent. Harry Craft was reelected on the Republican line in Kortright as highway supervisor, Bradley Hitchcock was reelected as highway superintendent as a Republican in Meredith, and Gordon Finch Jr. was reelected on the Republican line in Masonville for highway superintendent. Jeffrey Offnick was reelected on the Republican line for highway superintendent in Walton. In Bovina, Edward Weber was reelected for highway superintendent on the Democratic line.
In Franklin, voters approved propositions to change the term of office for the town clerk from two years to four years by a vote of 665 to 418; and to similarly change the highway superintendent term by a vote of 599 to 486.
Christopher Tague, running on the Republican and Conservative lines, bested Michele Frazier, running on the Democratic and Working Families lines, 56,878 to 49,143.
Republican Marcus Molinaro, running on the Republican line, bested Democrat Janet Tweed 30,704 to 24,478.
Incumbent Thomas DiNapoli, running on the Democratic and Working Families lines, won 3.69 million to 2.01 million, against Republican challenger Joseph Hernandez.
Incumbent Joseph Angelino, who ran on the Republican and Conservatives lines retained his seat with a 20,897 to 12,605 victory over Democratic Vicki Davis.
Incumbent Letitia James running on the Democratic and Working Families lines retains her seat with a 3.4 million to 2.2 million vote against Saritha Komatireddy, who ran on the Conservative and Republican lines.
Incumbent Kathy Hochul, running on the Democratic and Working Families lines retained her seat with a 3.48 to 2.32 million vote against Bruce Blakeman who ran on a Conservative, Republican and independent line.
Incumbent Josh Riley, running on the Democratic and Working Families lines retained his seat with a 158,597 to 113,714 vote over challenger Peter Oberacker who ran on the Republic and Conservative lines.
* Results are unofficial
