Democrat Dorcey Applyrs declared a historic victory Tuesday night in Albany’s mayoral race, defeating Republican Rocco Pezzulo to become the first Black candidate elected mayor in the city’s history.
The win sends Applys, the city’s chief auditor, into Albany City Hall in January to succeed Democrat Kathy Sheehan as Albany’s first new mayor in 12 years.
Applyrs won a four-year term. In her victory speech Tuesday night, she pledged to chart a new course for Albany.
“This is our moment. We’ve earned this moment and it is such an amazing moment. Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Applyrs said.
Tuesday’s result marked a relatively swift rise for Applyrs in the often slow-moving politics of Albany, which has elected a total of six mayors since 1942, including Applyrs.
“Standing on this stage is a culmination of a dream,” Applyrs said. “A dream whose seeds were planted so many years ago of people who believed in me.
“I’m here because others believed, pushed and kept going, even when it was extremely hard,” Applyrs said.
She said it was now her turn to make sure every young person in the city knows they have a seat at the table.
“This city is for you too,” she said.
The mother of two, who received a doctorate in public health at the University at Albany, says she started public service doing HIV work on Clinton Avenue. She was elected to the Albany Common Council in 2013 and 2017, representing the First Ward, before becoming auditor in 2020.
Applyrs announced her mayoral bid in November 2023 and triumphed in a four-way Democratic primary in June 2025 over Dan Cerutti, Corey Ellis and Carolyn McLaughlin.
Pezzulo conceded the race shortly before 10 p.m., though said he was not planning an election night speech.
Among the issues raised this campaign were improving public safety downtown and how to best spend $400 million designated from the state budget.
Applyrs received the backing of Sheehan and other Albany-area Democrats, while Pezzulo, an Albany native and former restaurant owner who is involved in mental health care, argued the city needed a change in leadership and direction.
“I think it’s time for a change, and we’re ready for it,” Pezzulo said Tuesday prior to vote counting.
Applyrs said she wanted to prioritize anchor projects with the $400 million to help bring business and people to downtown Albany. Pezzulo struck a more cautious tone, saying he wanted to see monetary investment help strengthen city coffers and target future projects.
His message advocating change failed to take hold. He said he would likely return to running a business, but he still held political ambitions.
“I will be back. This is not the last youre seeing of me,” Pezzulo said.
