RENSSELAERVILLE — With no contest, Deputy Sheriff Ronald Bates won a four-year term on Election Day as the town’s newest judge. He will start in January.

Bates, a Democrat, received 99.56 percent of the vote, with 286 votes on the Democratic line, 219 on the Republican line, 114 on the Conservative line, and 55 on the Independence Party line. Three write-in votes kept him from 100 percent. These are unofficial results from the Albany County Board of Elections.

The position was decided several months ago when Bates was endorsed by all four lines. Sitting Judge Timothy Miller, a Democrat, didn’t run for another term.

Growing up in the hamlet of Preston Hollow, Bates, 46, has lived in Rensselaerville his entire life and worked for the Albany County Sheriff’s Office for the past 25 years. His father, Ronald K. Bates, was a deputy sheriff for a quarter of a century and held several positions for the town’s government.

Bates said he will retire from his police career and spend more time with his grandchildren. He works as a constable in New Scotland Town Court and owns the West Winds Diner in Preston Hollow with his wife, Wanda.

The town’s second judge is Democrat Gregory Bischoff, a retired business teacher whose position voters will decide next year.

— Marcello Iaia