Mayor Eddie Sundquist is pictured with city Democrats. P-J photo By Christopher Blakeslee

Republicans widened their majority on the Jamestown City Council, adding one seat during Tuesday’s election.

“The people have spoken,” said Tony Dolce, Jamestown City Council president and Ward 2 councilman. “I’m speechless at the results of this election. Blown away.”

Newcomer Joe Paterniti defeated incumbent Democrat Marie Carrubba, D-Ward 4, by 34 votes, 560 to 526. The council’s only remaining Democrat, incumbent Ward 3 Councilwoman Regina Brackman, defeated Robert Reedy by 40 votes, 213 to 173.

“I can’t be bought and I’m not strictly a party person,” said Brackman prior to her victory speech.”I was elected to represent the people and that’s what I’m going to do.”

Paterniti joins fellow newcomer Russell Bonfiglio, who won the at-large seat vacated by Mayor-elect Kim Ecklund. Bonfiglio was the leading vote-getter among at-large candidates with 2,675 votes, followed by incumbents Jeff Russell with 2,554 votes, and Randall Daversa with 2,531 votes. Alyssa Porter, city Democratic Party chairwoman, received 2,008 votes and Isaiah Rashad, who dropped out of the race for health reasons in September, received 1,670 votes.

Incumbent Brent Sheldon won the Ward 1 seat, 393 to 324, over Democratic Party challenger Travis Knight. Anthony Dolce, R-Ward 2 and council president, ran unopposed.

Ward 5 incumbent William Reynolds defeated Democratic Party challenger Kaycee Colburn, 435-349, while incumbent Andrew Faulkner defeated challenger Vanessa Weinert, 432-356.

“It was a pretty close race, but I’m happy it’s over and we -Jamestown City Council- can get back to working for the people,” said Faulkner during a victory celebration, post-election, interview.