Looking to become a viable alternative to the Democratic and Republican parties, Libertarians have begun grassroots organizing to grow the party.

Jeff Collins’s passion for a home health-care system is fueled by the tough time his mother had caring for his father who suffered and died from Alzheimer’s disease. He's running for a seat in the state senate.

Four candidates were nominated at Berne’s Democratic caucus for town board. Frank Brady and Brian Bunzey bested Tim Lippert and Mathew Harris, who is running on the GOP ticket and is not enrolled in any party.

Last month, the town board held lengthy closed-door discussions over amendments to the town highway workers’ union contract that were approved by the supervisor without town board knowledge. This month, three of the town board members, all Democrats, voted to censure the supervisor for approving the amendments without their knowledge as well decisions he had made without board approval.

Chief City Auditor Susan Rizzo will represent the Democratic Party this fall in the race for Albany County Comptroller, after she defeated Albany City Treasurer Darius Shahinfar in Tuesday’s primary. 

Hébert Joseph, the new chairman of the town’s Democratic Party, said that he hopes to get more Democrats voting this year, such as by helping transport the elderly to the polls and encouraging young people to vote.

Two-term New Scotland Councilwoman Patricia Snyder will not run for a third term in the fall. With incumbent William Hennessy up for re-election, two seats on the town board are open.

Joseph Sullivan was a perennial candidate in Albany politics. But his refuge was in the Hilltowns and Thacher Park.

Guilderland’s Democratic committee is looking into whether to change from a caucus to a primary system, but has not yet made a decision.

Acting Supervisor William Bichteman, when asked who would take charge of the town during a planned absence, said that he had appointed former supervisor Richard Rapp and Councilman Joseph Boone as deputy supervisors.