Blab Politics
Schenectady Council Shifts After Joe Mancinis Resignation, Replacement Process Sparks Legal Battle
Health woes forced Schenectady’s seven‑member council into a sudden reshuffle. On Aug. 25, 2025, former councilman Joe Mancini stepped down after 19 months of a four‑year term, citing medical reasons. The vacancy left the board short of the full roster required by the city charter, a situation that could have stalled essential business for the first months of 2026.
For several months, the council operated with only six members and could not elect a new president. The issue was resolved in July when councilwoman Carmel Patrick returned from a seven‑month medical leave, restoring the board to its full complement for the first time in almost a year.
Replacing Mancini proved more complicated than a simple appointment. State law dictates that the council must fill the seat until the next general election—in this case, Nov. 2025. Yet the board lingered for three months after Mancini’s resignation, holding discussions without naming a candidate. When the election passed, a short‑notice search drew 17 applicants. In December, after two closed‑door sessions, the council chose Justin Chaires, a county library trustee. Mayor Gary McCarthy immediately vetoed the appointment, citing procedural errors, and filed a lawsuit in Schenectady County Supreme Court to block Chaires’ seating.
The court ruled against the mayor, and Chaires took his seat in February, costing the city $50,000 in legal fees.
Mancini welcomed the decision. “Justin brings passion and a love for the community and I’m pleased to see him in that seat,” he said. He added that he does not miss the partisan bickering that had dominated the council in recent years. “I like when we can problem‑solve, but I don’t miss the drama and stress that comes along with that,” he said.
Policy battles intensified during Mancini’s tenure. In 2024, community groups pushed for a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israel‑Palestine conflict. After months of debate, the council declined to vote on the resolution. In 2025, activists urged the city to opt into the state’s Good Cause Eviction Law, which would require landlords to have a legitimate reason to evict tenants. Mancini proposed a compromise in July: a nine‑member task force of landlords, tenants and nonprofit representatives would study the issue. The task force was approved 4‑3, with Mancini named chair. The council voted 4‑3 against adopting the law. Weeks later, Mancini resigned, leaving the task force in limbo.
Former council member Marion Porterfield was skeptical of Mancini’s timing. “It was a major initiative that he brought forward, and it left it in the balance,” she said. “Then when Patrick fell ill, it just kind of languished out there.” After Mancini’s exit, Carmel Patrick chaired the task force, but a stroke in December forced her to miss seven months of meetings. Kim Wiggins eventually became chair and led the panel to recommend that the city adopt the Good Cause Eviction Law in the summer. The council has not yet voted on the recommendation.
The council’s ideological split remains pronounced. Engert and Chaires align with the moderate wing, while Williams, Wiggins and Chaires lean progressive. Mayor McCarthy has said Mancini’s background in criminal justice and management brought stability to the board. “He had a broad and diverse background in criminal justice in higher‑level management positions, so he brought a level of stability to the council that is not there at the same level today,” he said.
Former council member Vince Riggi noted that the council has been shorthanded for almost a year. “The council hasn’t run at full steam for just about a year,” he said.
Mancini, who worked part‑time for the Social Enterprise and Training Center while on the council, has left that position. He said he is considering a part‑time role in the future but is unlikely to return to politics. “I can never say never,” he said with a laugh. He also made it clear that he will not run in the 2027 mayoral race, which already includes Williams, County Legislator Omar McGill and possibly McCarthy.
The council’s next steps involve finalizing the Good Cause Eviction recommendation and maintaining full membership. The city will continue to monitor the legal and policy implications of the replacement process and the ongoing debate over housing protections.
For several months, the council operated with only six members and could not elect a new president. The issue was resolved in July when councilwoman Carmel Patrick returned from a seven‑month medical leave, restoring the board to its full complement for the first time in almost a year.
Replacing Mancini proved more complicated than a simple appointment. State law dictates that the council must fill the seat until the next general election—in this case, Nov. 2025. Yet the board lingered for three months after Mancini’s resignation, holding discussions without naming a candidate. When the election passed, a short‑notice search drew 17 applicants. In December, after two closed‑door sessions, the council chose Justin Chaires, a county library trustee. Mayor Gary McCarthy immediately vetoed the appointment, citing procedural errors, and filed a lawsuit in Schenectady County Supreme Court to block Chaires’ seating.
The court ruled against the mayor, and Chaires took his seat in February, costing the city $50,000 in legal fees.
Mancini welcomed the decision. “Justin brings passion and a love for the community and I’m pleased to see him in that seat,” he said. He added that he does not miss the partisan bickering that had dominated the council in recent years. “I like when we can problem‑solve, but I don’t miss the drama and stress that comes along with that,” he said.
Policy battles intensified during Mancini’s tenure. In 2024, community groups pushed for a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israel‑Palestine conflict. After months of debate, the council declined to vote on the resolution. In 2025, activists urged the city to opt into the state’s Good Cause Eviction Law, which would require landlords to have a legitimate reason to evict tenants. Mancini proposed a compromise in July: a nine‑member task force of landlords, tenants and nonprofit representatives would study the issue. The task force was approved 4‑3, with Mancini named chair. The council voted 4‑3 against adopting the law. Weeks later, Mancini resigned, leaving the task force in limbo.
Former council member Marion Porterfield was skeptical of Mancini’s timing. “It was a major initiative that he brought forward, and it left it in the balance,” she said. “Then when Patrick fell ill, it just kind of languished out there.” After Mancini’s exit, Carmel Patrick chaired the task force, but a stroke in December forced her to miss seven months of meetings. Kim Wiggins eventually became chair and led the panel to recommend that the city adopt the Good Cause Eviction Law in the summer. The council has not yet voted on the recommendation.
The council’s ideological split remains pronounced. Engert and Chaires align with the moderate wing, while Williams, Wiggins and Chaires lean progressive. Mayor McCarthy has said Mancini’s background in criminal justice and management brought stability to the board. “He had a broad and diverse background in criminal justice in higher‑level management positions, so he brought a level of stability to the council that is not there at the same level today,” he said.
Former council member Vince Riggi noted that the council has been shorthanded for almost a year. “The council hasn’t run at full steam for just about a year,” he said.
Mancini, who worked part‑time for the Social Enterprise and Training Center while on the council, has left that position. He said he is considering a part‑time role in the future but is unlikely to return to politics. “I can never say never,” he said with a laugh. He also made it clear that he will not run in the 2027 mayoral race, which already includes Williams, County Legislator Omar McGill and possibly McCarthy.
The council’s next steps involve finalizing the Good Cause Eviction recommendation and maintaining full membership. The city will continue to monitor the legal and policy implications of the replacement process and the ongoing debate over housing protections.
