With a full house of Democratic candidates and their supporters gathered at Roasted Peppers in Mamaroneck tonight, the atmosphere was jovial yet tense as the incoming poll numbers were tallied.

“Turnout was good at our districts,” said Democratic Party Campaign Manager Randi Robinowitz, referring to Districts M 17 & 23-Orienta and R 3 Shore Acres in Mamaroneck.

“I think for an off-year election, it’s good,” she said.

Scott Dufault—a third-generation lifelong village resident and attorney who is running for a Mamaroneck Village trustee seat—has a B.A. and J.D. from American University, and has served as a Friends of the Mamaroneck Public Library Board member and as a recreational and travel soccer coach.

A newcomer to politics, Dufault said the most difficult part of campaigning was, “Trying to get up to speed on the issues that were involved,” which included, “taxes the environment…people are concerned about the costs of the environment.”

At press time, Dufault had only 46 percent of the vote, with incumbent Louis Santoro currently ahead at 56 percent, with 14 of 15 districts reporting.

Toni Pergola Ryan—a lifelong village resident and former village trustee from 1987-89 and from 2006-present—is running for the mayoral seat in the Village of Mamaroneck against incumbent Norm Rosenblum, who is running on the Republican, Conservative and Independent party lines.  Pergola Ryan and Rosenblum have sparred publicly over board issues, including the resignation of former village attorney Steve Silverberg.

Pergola Ryan will serve another year on the board if she loses the election and, if she wins, she will nominate another candidate for her open seat.

“I think the mayor will set the tone for the expectations [of the village],” she said.

At press time, Rosenblum was in the lead, also with a 56 percent majority, with 14 of 15 districts reporting.

Regardless of who wins, the village board will retain a Democratic majority.

Newcomer Abby Katz—who has 14 years in the financial services industry and has been actively involved in the community through the Larchmont Gardens Civic Association, Larchmont/Mamaroneck Hunger Task Force and Murray Avenue PTA—is running for one of the two open Mamaroneck Town Council seats.

Katz is looking forward to forging a more open dialogue with her constituents if elected, as well as making more information available on the town’s website for residents who want to stay informed.

Others echoed similarly expressed sentiments about voter turnout this year.

Mamaroneck Town Council incumbent Phyllis Wittner said, “So far it sounds like people did come out in an off year like this—although I haven’t seen the numbers yet.”

Wittner and Katz were both leading by 37 and 39 percent respectively over Republican/Conservative/Independent candidate Seth Marcus, who only had 24 percent of votes.

Nancy Seligson ran unopposed for Town Supervisor, along with Christina Battalia for Town Clerk and Jean Marie Brescia for Town Justice.  Seligson will replace retiring Supervisor Valerie O'Keeffe.

Village Trustee Sid Albert, who was in attendance at the gathering, acknowledged the difficulties of getting people out to the polls.

“We work harder to get people to realize this election is as important as any other election,” he said.