SCHENECTADY — The executive committee of city Democrats voted Saturday to recommend Mayor Gary McCarthy for a fourth term, according to a news release from the leadership.
The committee also recommended to the full party committee council members Doreen Ditoro, Carmel Patrick and Carl Williams for reelection, as well as Joe Mancini for a council seat. Council member John Polimeni chose not to seek the city Democrats’ endorsement.
Polimeni was asked Saturday about his plans — whether he will run for reelection and, if so, whether he’d seek the endorsement of another party.
“I have a number of options which I am weighing … carefully,” Polimeni told the Times Union.
Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy speaks during a press conference to kick off Schenectady Shares, an effort to restock food pantries on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, while Ambition Coffee & Eatery chef Marc Renson looks on. A panel of Schenectady Democrats announced they’ve endorsed McCarthy for a fourth term Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023.
Jim Franco/Times UnionMcCarthy said this past fall he would seek reelection, with a more formal announcement planned for 2023.
Williams and Ditoro were elected to vacant council seats for two-year terms in special elections in November 2021; Patrick was elected to a four-year term in 2019. Polimeni was first elected to office in 2015 and won his reelection bid in 2019.
Council President Marion Porterfield is also weighing a Democratic primary challenge to McCarthy and said earlier this week she would seek the party’s endorsement.
“Once the interview is over then I will move forward with whatever my final decision is,” she told the Times Union on Wednesday.
Porterfield, who was the top vote-getter upon her reelection in 2021, didn’t immediately respond for comment on Saturday night.
Committee Chair Tom Bellick could not be reached.
Republican Matt Nelligan has said he will run for mayor in the fall election.
