TUCKAHOE - With a resounding total of more than one thousand votes, Tuckahoe Mayor Omayra Andino was re-elected Tuesday to a second term as leader of the Village.

   Andino, running on both the Democratic and Bipartisan ballot lines, garnered 55 percent of all those casting ballots in the mayoral race, defeating Republican Joseph “Scooter” Scott, 1,029-835.

   Democrat Joshua Gaccione was the top finisher in the race for two Trustee seats on Tuckahoe’s Village Board, getting nearly one-third of all votes. The electoral victory was the first for Gaccione, who was appointed last April to fill a vacant Board seat.

 The winner of the second Trustee seat was Republican Danny Lang, who previously served two terms as a Tuckahoe trustee. The runners-up in the Trustee race were Republican Claudia Demaio-Francis and incumbent Darryl Taylor, who was running only on the Bipartisan ballot line. Neither Lang nor Demaio-Francis appeared at Tuckahoe’s Village Hall on Oct. 24th for the candidates forum conducted by the League of Women Voters.

  In all, nearly one-fourth of Tuckahoe’s registered voters cast ballots in what was a historic election for the Village. It was the first time in more than a century that the Village election has been held in the fall. In a 2022 ballot question, voters overwhelmingly approved switching Tuckahoe’s election from March to November.

   “We are gratified by the higher-than-usual voter turnout in this election,” said Tuckahoe Democratic Party Chair Julie Gurdin. “When Mayor Andino and the Trustees decided to let voters decide when best to hold our election, she was confident that it would increase interest and participation in Village life - and that has proven to be the case.

   “The broad-based support Omayra received shows that voters welcome the leadership, dignity and accountability that she, Josh and Darryl brought to the Board - and the commitment of all three inspired a wave of work by our dedicated volunteers.”

   The Village has benefitted in both visible and intangible ways under Andino’s leadership. While nearly a third of Tuckahoe streets have been repaved and major upgrades were completed at Main Street Park and the Community Center, Village finances have never been stronger, as its credit rating was raised to an all-time high AA-plus by S & P.

    In response to the election results, Mayor Andino said: 

    “When we exercise our right to vote, we uplift Democracy. The people of Tuckahoe have spoken loudly, and I'm honored to continue to serve them as Mayor alongside my passionate, competent colleague, Josh.

   ”Unfortunately - due to a technicality - our friend and running mate, Darryl Taylor, did not cross the finish line with us. But the will of the people is paramount, and I look forward to working with all Board members to continue making Tuckahoe a special place to live, work, and play.”

   Gaccione and Lang join Deputy Mayor Cara Kronen and Trustee Nicole Engelbert on the
Village Board. Kronen and Engelbert, both Democrats, were elected last year. 

   “Naturally I am disappointed about not rejoining the Board,” Taylor said. “But there are many ways to volunteer in our Village - so I’ll continue to provide leadership at ECAP as we work to make the lives of those in our beloved Tuckahoe better.  I encourage everyone to come forward to serve our community.”

   “Seven months ago I made a promise to the voters of Tuckahoe that I would do everything to earn their votes,” Gaccione said. “I am honored and humbled by the overwhelming support, and look forward to continue working with the Mayor and my fellow trustees to keep moving Tuckahoe forward.”