Stephen Krasner holds a 15-vote lead over Scott Manley in the race to become the Town of Newburgh’s next supervisor, leaving one of the area’s closest elections unresolved as officials prepare to count outstanding ballots.

According to unofficial Orange County election results last updated Nov. 4, Krasner, running on the Democratic and Working Families lines, received 5,991 votes, or 50.05%, while Manley, the Republican and Conservative candidate, received 5,976 votes, or 49.92%. Three write-in votes were recorded.

The race will determine who succeeds retiring Supervisor Gil Piaquadio.

Manley, the town’s deputy supervisor, acknowledged the narrow margin in a Facebook post Wednesday morning.

“As of Wednesday, with all 27 districts reported, we are down by 15 votes. Once again, every vote counts,” Manley wrote.

He said 218 affidavit votes and as many as 281 absentee ballots remained to be counted.

“Gonna be a tough couple of weeks waiting,” he added.

Krasner said residents he spoke with wanted a different approach to town government, while Manley said most residents he encountered were satisfied with the town’s direction.

“Everybody I spoke with and with all the issues they had, whether it’s from roads to ICE to Flock to whatever it is, they wanted a different approach,” said Krasner.

The proposed federal immigration facility and the town’s use of Flock Safety license plate-reading cameras became prominent subjects of public discussion during the campaign. Krasner said concerns varied by neighborhood, with some residents focused on flooding, roads and warehouse development, while others raised questions about immigration enforcement and privacy.

He said that, if elected, his first priority would be meeting with town employees and residents and finding common ground with members of the Town Board, including Manley, who would retain his council seat.

“The first priority is to listen,” Krasner said. “Listen to the residents but first and foremost, listen to everybody that works for the town.”

Manley, who has served on the Town Board for more than a decade, said his conversations with residents suggested that many supported the town’s current direction.

“Most residents are very happy with this town,” he said. “They understand what’s going on, and they like the direction it’s going in.”

Manley said residents wanted the town to continue addressing public safety, infrastructure improvements and recreational opportunities as major concerns. If elected supervisor, he said he wanted to maintain open communication with residents and department heads while building on the town’s existing work.

The closely contested supervisor race follows weeks of campaign tensions, including disputes over a proposed candidate forum and vandalized campaign signs.

Residents on election night expressed contrasting views about the town’s future.

Marge Mercier, 74, a lifelong Democrat who attended an election-night gathering at the Town of Newburgh Town Hall, said she supported the Republican candidates because she trusted their approach to local government.

“Honesty,” Mercier said when asked what mattered most in her voting decision. She said she believed town officials were responsive when residents approached them with questions.

Eileen De Rosalia, who said she moved to the town about four years ago, supported Krasner because she wanted a different approach to local government. She said her experiences dealing with the town had raised concerns about whether everyone received equal consideration.

“I’m hoping that there’s more transparency,” she said. “That’s the most important thing.”

Piaquadio, who is preparing to leave office, said his advice to the next supervisor would be to work reasonably with residents, employees and department heads.

“Just try to be reasonable with people and employees as well,” Piaquadio said, adding that he believed that approach had helped the town operate efficiently and control taxes.

Asked what he planned to do after leaving office, Piaquadio said the transition felt unfamiliar.

“I feel like it’s the first day of school,” he said. “Unexpected. I don’t know what’s going to happen.”