OBSERVER Photos by M.J. Stafford City of Dunkirk Democrats gathered at the Elks Club on Central Avenue Tuesday night to get election results.

Dunkirk will have an all-Democrat Common Council in 2026. Voters also backed abolishing the city treasurer position by a wide margin.

Democrat Michael Civiletto defeated incumbent Nancy Nichols for the Fourth Ward council seat. Civiletto had 1.064 votes to Nichols’ 715, according to the preliminary Chautauqua County Board of Election tally.

In the Second Ward, Frankie Torain topped Republican Colby Garza. Torain grabbed 966 votes, Garza 807.

As for the treasurer position, held since the late 1990s by Mark Woods, Dunkirk voters apparently heeded City Hall’s advice that eliminating it is necessary for financial reform. “Yes” votes in the referendum outnumbered “no” votes by a count of 2,484 to 1,104.

There was also a set of uncontested races in the city.

Democrat Nick Weiser was elected to a second term as Councilman-at-Large. Councilwoman Natalie Luczkowiak of the First Ward, a Democrat, garnered a re-election too. Gary Frederickson, also a Democrat, is the Third Ward’s new councilman.

Republican City Assessor Erica Munson was also re-elected without opposition.

Civiletto, Fredrickson and Torain backed abolishing the treasurer position during an October debate, while Garza was wary of it. Asked what they would do with $5 million for the city, Frederickson prioritized bringing in more businesses, Civiletto senior housing, and Torain wanted to get city government’s fiscal affairs in order.

Civiletto, Frederickson and Torain were all also open to sharing municipal services with nearby Fredonia.