WESTERLO — Democrats faced their first Republican challenge in decades for three board seats, and maintained two — longtime Supervisor Richard Rapp got 55 percent of the vote, and one-term councilman Anthony Sherman got 27 percent of the vote in a four-way race for two board seats.

Republican Amie Burnside, a newcomer to politics, was the top vote-getter at 409, with 27 percent of the vote, winning a board seat. These figures are unofficial results from the Albany County Board of Elections.

“I didn’t expect to be the top vote-getter,” Burnside said on Wednesday morning, “first of all because I’m Republican and second of all because I’m female. I’m excited. I have my work cut out or me.”

Burnside was one vote ahead of Sherman. Sherman, 35, works in the manufacturing facility at Hannay Hose Reels. He said, during the campaign, that, when he was called to a meeting with the engineers on a controversial proposed building project, “The moment I realized it wasn’t advertised, I refused to attend and consulted with the town attorney.” Sherman could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.

Another Republican newcomer, Kevin Flensted, got 379 votes, or 25 percent, losing his first bid for office. Flensted, 43, a manager of quality compliance for Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and chief of Westerlo’s volunteer fire company, said during the campaign his number-one issue was “transparency and getting more people involved.”

Democratic incumbent Alfred Field garnered 324 votes or 21 percent, thereby losing his seat. Field, 71, is retired from a career as a construction engineer, and is serving is first four-year term on the board. During the campaign, Field said he was proud of Westerlo but “embarrassed by our highway department and court.” He said that the bond issue to improve those buildings, ultimately defeated in a public referendum, was “for the good of the people and the good of the township.”

“I’m happy I won,” said Rapp on Wednesday, asked for his reaction to the race.  Asked his thoughts on having a Republican on the board, he said, “I have no problem with that.”

On Field’s defeat, he said, “I was surprised there...It’s one of those things you don’t expect.”

Rapp was challenged by Republican George Langdon III, who got 45 percent of the votes — 356 to Rapp’s 440. Langdon, 74, a school bus driver and a minister, was making his first run for political office.

“This is the first time for all three of us,” Langdon said of himself and his running mates during the campaign. “This is a bold undertaking; we’re outnumbered, 4 to 1.”

Democrats make up about half of Westerlo’s registered voters (1,014 out of a total of 2,218). About a fifth (440) are Republicans and almost a quarter (540) are unaffiliated. The rest belong to small parties: 141 are enrolled in the Independence Party, 67 are in the Conservative Party, and eight each are in the Working Families Party and the Green Party.

In the last town election, two years ago, the Republicans had no one running. Clinton “Jack” Milner was elected to fill out a term on the town board in 2009, but was defeated in his re-election bid in 2011.

That election, the last of the Republicans’ brief foray into backing alternative candidates, saw both council seats go to Democrats, as well as the uncontested posts for supervisor and town clerk.

Also on Tuesday, two incumbent Democrats were unopposed: Town Clerk Kathleen Spinnato got 555 Democratic votes and 93 Independence Party votes while Highway Superintendent Keith Wright got 547 Democratic votes and 99 Independence Party votes.

For town justice, incumbent Democrat Robert Carl bested Republican Richard Bontempo, 506 to 208.

On Tuesday night, after the polls closed but before results were known, Burnside quoted Langdon, “George said, ‘Win or lose, we’ve won because we’ve gotten people to vote.’” Langdon could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.

The Republican candidates were fueled by the recent bond defeat. Westerlo citizens petitioned to force a public vote on a $2.75 million bond that would have upgraded the town hall, formerly the Westerlo School, and built a new highway garage at an estimated cost to the average taxpayer of $99 annually for the life of the bond. In September, the measure was soundly defeated, 341 to 162.

Rapp said Wednesday about his goals in the coming term, “We definitely need a highway garage...We’ll come back with another plan. It’s got to be done.”

Richard Rapp

Asked about other goals, he said, “To keep going the way we are. I think we’re doing fine. We handle things as they come up.”

Rapp and Michael Hammond in nearby Knox have both been Democratic supervisors for more than 40 years; Hammond was ousted in Tuesday’s election. (See related story.) Asked for his thoughts on Hammond’s defeat and what bearing, if any, it might have on his position, Rapp said, “Mike will find something. He’s got that woodworking business.”

Burnside said she fell asleep Tuesday night, waiting to hear the election results.  She awakened to 20 texts and 40 emails, she said. The first one she opened, from a Democrat, was a screen shot of the election results. She said many Democrats have congratulated her.

Burnside, 44, a systems configuration analyst for FedelisCare who has served on Westerlo’s zoning board for two years, said she views her role as a town board member this way: “I am the voice of the town; it’s not my own personal agenda.” She urged residents to contact her if they have ideas, concerns, or issues.

She said of her two running mates, Langdon and Flensted, “I’m sad they didn’t get in. It breaks my heart; we felt like family during this campaign.”

But, she continued, “We have to move forward.” She plans to listen to other board members as well as residents, Burnside said.

“I’m not someone who goes in with guns blazing,” she said. “The point of having a board is to hash things out, to get the best solution for the town.”

Asked if it would be difficult to be the only Republican on a board with four Democrats — it frustrated Milner in Westerlo, and the sole Republican on the Berne Town Board resigned — Burnside said, “I’m really hoping the party lines don’t come into play. I’m hoping we can work for what is best for the town.”

Asked about her goals, Burnside said, “My biggest is, I want to be transparent. I hope I can get other board members to lay things out.” This, she said, will quell rumors and let residents understand what they’re government is doing.

Burnside said of the other board members, “With the referendum getting shot down, I hope they see how important transparency is.”

She said, during “meet and greet” sessions that the Republicans held leading up to the elections, what they heard most often was the need for trust and transparency.

“I’m not going to be able to fix everything,” said Burnside. “I need to spend time talking to people to see their goals.... I hope to do a good job to keep getting elected.

She concluded, “I truly am humbled and overwhelmed.”