OBSERVER Photo by Nicole Gugino Unofficial results show Democrat John M. Kuzdale won the city judge seat.

Election night was a mixed bag for Dunkirk’s Democrats Tuesday night. While Democrat John M. Kuzdale took the city judge’s seat, the third ward council position changed hands.

Kuzdale said he took away the lesson “politics is a team sport” from this campaign. Unofficial results show he won receiving 1,118 votes compared to Joseph A. Price’s 937 and Ronald A. Szot’s 230.

“This process has made me a better candidate and judge because of all the issues I have had to face along the way,” he told the OBSERVER. “I promise to be the best judge I can be.”

Incumbent Third Ward Councilman Adelino Gonzalez Jr. was unseated by Shaun P. Heenan, 947 to 1,177, according to unofficial results.

Gonzalez joked he is hoping for 150 absentee ballots. Heenan, a former councilman, mayoral candidate and county legislator, could not be reached for comment.

Mayor Willie Rosas gave a rousing speech about the Democratic party needing to unite.

“City Democrats were not with us this year. The numbers don’t lie. We outnumber Republicans three to one. If they had turned out, it may have made a difference (in the county executive and county clerk races). We need to come together and be united. … When I was younger, they called us the ‘Democratic Machine.’ For some reason we can’t get it together,” he said. “I am disappointed in the results, but I am proud of the candidates who ran. I am honored to have worked with Councilman Gonzalez. He took on a controversial issue this year it may have lost him the election, but he stands up for what he believes is right. If it costs me the election, then I am OK with it because I am doing what I think is right. … I am proud to be a Democrat and I hope the Democratic team can get together.”

First Ward Councilman Donald J. Williams Jr. was re-elected with 1,511 votes. Despite his opponent dropping out after ballots were printed, Conservative Dennis Welka still received 458 votes.

Also re-elected were Councilman-at-Large Andrew Woloszyn and Second Ward Councilman Martin Bamonto. Newcomer Michael Civiletto was elected to the Fourth Ward council seat. All three ran unopposed.

Civiletto said even though the county Democrats lost the county executive and county clerk races, he was going to work hard for his constituents.

“I’m going to work really hard for this city. Don’t forget, just because Mike Ferguson didn’t get in and LeeAnn (Lazarony) didn’t get in, we have to be a presence in the Mayville. I don’t think we have been and that’s what we need to do and that’s what I’m going to start doing. I’m going to start going to Mayville and I’m going to be holding (County Executive-elect) George (Borrello’s) feet to the fire and (County Clerk) Larry (Barmore’s) feet to the fire. When I see something that’s wrong, I’m going to call them on it,” Civiletto said.