Zeh Rash keep board seats
WESTERLOIts an off-year in Westerlo. In the only Hilltown without a race for supervisor this year, it was an uneventful election.
Two seats were open on the Westerlo Town Board, and they were claimed easily by incumbents. R. Gregory Zeh Jr., running on the Republican and Democratic party lines, received the most votes with 767. Democrat Edward Rash came in second with 534. (All vote counts in this article are unofficial results from the Albany County Board of Elections.)
Republican Charles Faul trailed both men by a wide margin, receiving only 264 votes. Democrats outnumber Republicans in Westerlo, three to one.
Zeh was appointed to the town board earlier this year to replace the late Clifton Richardson, the first Republican on the board in seven decades. Both parties have claimed Zeh as their own.
Reflecting on Tuesday’s results, Faul, who is also the chair of the Westerlo Republican Party, was glad Zeh was the top vote-getter, but, he said, "I think the question is, what’s he going to do; is he going to be a Republican or a Democrat"...I just hope he’ll continue to do what’s best for the town."
Zeh was unavailable for comment Wednesday afternoon.
In January, Rash will begin his second full four-year term on the town board. He was first appointed to the board to fill a vacancy. Rash works as director of advertising and public relations at Hannay Reels.
"It was a pretty good win. I feel pretty good about it," Rash said of his victory. "It’s always challenging when you’re opposed."
Rash said he thinks voters chose him because he listens to their concerns.
"I think I’m in tune with the people in town," he said. "When I say I’m going to do something for them, I do it for them."
On his own campaign, Faul said he wasnt surprised at the results. Republicans have always had trouble getting elected in Westerlo, he said. Richardson won four years ago because he was well-known and well-liked by almost everyone in town, Faul said.
"I haven’t been in town as long as some of these guys," he said. "I think, generally speaking, I’m heartened I had some support."
In the only other Westerlo election, incumbent Democrat Alan Bauder ran unopposed for town justice. He received 585 votes.
