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Competition for state positions and Congress, but few contested local races

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 November 2026 at 5:33 am

Voters go to polls today for governor, many other positions on double-sided ballot

It’s election day in Orleans County and across the state with several contested races for some of the leading offices of the state, including governor.

Locally, the state legislators representing Orleans County also have rare competition with State Sen. Rob Ortt and Assemblyman Steve Hawley both facing challengers.

Among the county and town positions on the ballot, only one of seven county legislators features a contested race with Marlene Seielstad running against incumbent Don Allport for an at-large position (countywide).

None of the candidate for town positions have challengers on the ballot, although two candidates are mounting write-in campaigns: Kathy Harnischfeger in Clarendon against Fred Seeman and Steve Colon in Yates against Susan Hrovat.

There are two public referendums in Shelby. The town is asking voters if the elected town clerk and elected highway superintendent shall be abolished with an appointed or hired town clerk and highway superintendent, commencing Jan. 1, 2028 with four-year terms.

Here are the candidates on the ballot:

Federal

  • Representative to Congress 24th District – Alissa J. Ellman (Dem, Wor) against Claudia Tenney (Rep, Con)

State

  • Governor and Lt. Governor – Kathy Hochul and Adrienne Adams (Dem, Wor) against Bruce Blakeman and Todd Hood (Rep, Con, Vote Affordable)
  • Comptroller – Thomas DiNapoli (Dem, Wor) against Joseph Hernandez (Rep, Con)
  • Attorney General – Letitia James (Dem, Wor) against Saritha Komatireddy (Rep, Con)
  • State Senate 62nd District – Thomas Arida (Dem, Wor) against Robert Ortt (Rep, Con)
  • Member of State Assembly 139th District – Sarah Wolcott (Dem) against Stephen Hawley (Rep, Con)
  • Justices of the Supreme Court, 8th JD (4 positions available) – Craig Bucki (Dem, Wor), Anne Joynt (Dem, Wor), Michael Amodeo (Dem, Rep, Wor), Robert Richardson (Dem, Rep, Con), Deanne Tripi (Rep, Con), Jonathan Hickey (Rep, Con) and Robert Vario (Con)

Orleans County

  • County Legislator at Large West – Merle “Skip” Draper (Rep)
  • Legislator at Large Central – Marlene Seielstad (Dem) against Donald Allport (Rep)
  • Legislator at Large East – Edward Morgan (Rep)
  • Legislator District 1 – William Eick (Rep)
  • Legislator District 2 – Lynne M. Johnson (Rep)
  • Legislator District 3 – Fred Miller (Dem)
  • Legislator District 4 – John Fitzak (Rep)

Towns

  • Albion Supervisor – F. Richard Remley (Rep)
  • Albion Town Justice (vote for up to 2) – Joseph Fuller (Rep) and Gary Moore (Rep)
  • Barre Supervisor – Stephen Coville, II (Rep)
  • Clarendon Supervisor – Frederick Seeman (Rep, Lawn Life) against Kathy Harnischfeger as write-in
  • Gaines Supervisor – Tyler James Allport (Rep)
  • Gaines Superintendent of Highways 1 yr to fill vacancy – Robert Verhagen (Rep)
  • Kendall Supervisor – Anthony Cammarata (Rep)
  • Kendall Superintendent of Highways – Eric Maxon (Rep)
  • Murray Supervisor – Gerald Rightmyer (Rep)
  • Shelby Supervisor – Jim Heminway (Rep)
  • Yates Supervisor – Susan Hrovat (Rep) against Steven Colon as write-in

Click here to see the polling sites throughout the county.