OBSERVER Photo by M.J. Stafford Kate Wdowiasz congratulates Dunkirk Democratic Party Chairman Ned Divine over her apparent win in the city mayoral race as results came in Tuesday night.

City of Dunkirk voters delivered a split verdict on Election Day 2023, apparently narrowly electing Democrat Kate Wdowiasz as mayor but keeping a 3-2 edge for Republicans on the Common Council.

Poll watchers reported to the Democrats’ gathering at the Elks Club about 9:30 that Wdowiasz and council candidates Nick Weiser and Natalie Luczkowiak won their council races, spurring hearty cheers and high-fives. However, the cheers turned to groans when Republicans Abigail Yerico, James Stoyle and Nancy Nichols were reported as winners for Common Council.

Wdowiasz topped Republican David Damico by 1,221 votes to 1,164, according to preliminary numbers provided by the Chautauqua County Board of Elections. Damico could conceivably make up that deficit with absentee ballots but would need the vast majority to go his way.

Weiser beat Republican Linda Stolinski, 1,355 votes to 1,001, for the councilperson-at-large seat. In the First Ward, Luczkowiak held off Don Williams, 1,200 to 1,009, besting him for the second straight election.

Incumbent Democrat Marty Bamonto got turned out of office in the Second Ward, losing to Yerico, 1,273 to 1,078. Stoyle was re-elected in the Third Ward, topping Jack Pasquale by a count of 1,243 to 1,098. Nichols was also re-elected, defeating Brittany Lombardo for Fourth Ward councilperson, 1,252 to 1,077.

Longtime City Treasurer Mark Woods, a Democrat, defeated Republican Ashley Lockett handily, 1,630 votes to 606.

Republican Erica Munson was unopposed as clerk of the city Board of Assessors. She garnered 1,694 votes.