Early results show Woodstock Democrats opted to keep the status quo in the June 25 primary, placing Councilwoman Laura Ricci and Councilman Reggie Earls on their line for the November 5 general election.
Earls garnered 368 votes, the most of the three running for two seats, followed by Ricci with 323 and Conor Wenk with 286. A total of 519 ballots were cast. According to County elections commissioner Ashley Dittus, 33 absentee ballots were received, with counting beginning at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 27. Stragglers will be counted as they come in. It appears extremely unlikely that the absentee tally will change the end result.
“Thank you for coming out and voting,” Ricci said Tuesday at a small gathering at the Station Bar & Curio. “Democracy works best when people do come out and vote. I do thank everybody who supported me.” Ricci said she would have been happy to serve with whoever the voters chose.
Ricci, 63, is running for her second term. She previously served on the Planning Board and was deputy supervisor in the late Jeremy Wilber’s administration.
Earls, 37, is running for his first full term. He was appointed in June 2018 to replace the late Jay Wenk, then was elected in November 2018 to complete the remaining year of Wenk’s term. “Thank you so much to everyone that came out and voted for me,” Earls said. “I’m overwhelmed by the support of the people of this town. I’m humbled by it. I congratulate Laura Ricci on her win.”
“Well it’s over!” Conor Wenk posted on social media. “And while it’s not the result I’d hoped for, I’m happy to have been able to meet everyone along the way and voice my concerns for the town. Good luck to Laura and Reggie going forward. Keep community in the center of all your decisions.” Wenk, 30, has served on the Planning Board for more than four years. He is former councilman, the late Jay Wenk’s grandson and lives in his grandfather’s former home with his partner, Megan.
Republicans have not caucused this year and to date, nobody has announced an independent candidacy for Town Board. If that remains to be true, Earls and Ricci are nearly certain to be re-elected November 5.
Also facing no opposition to date are Supervisor Bill McKenna, Town Clerk Jackie Earley and Highway Superintendent Mike Reynolds, who are running on the same Democratic ticket.
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