Waterford Voters Prepare to Choose New Mayor After 28 Years

Two Republican candidates, Michelle Cleary and Craig Falcone, are vying to lead the village of 2,200 people.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 8:19pm

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The Village of Waterford, New York is holding a contested mayoral election for the first time in 28 years, as the longtime mayor is stepping down. Two Republican candidates, Michelle Cleary and Craig Falcone, are running to lead the village of about 2,200 people. Village elections differ from larger municipal elections in their more personal approach to constituent issues and community priorities.

Why it matters

Village elections often receive less attention than larger city or state races, but they play a crucial role in shaping the day-to-day lives of residents. The Waterford mayoral race highlights how village leaders take a more hands-on, community-focused approach compared to their counterparts in bigger cities.

The details

Waterford's mayoral candidates, Michelle Cleary and Craig Falcone, are both Republicans running to replace the retiring 28-year incumbent. As village leaders, they say the job involves a more personal connection with residents, quickly responding to local issues, and focusing on quality of life priorities like code enforcement and community collaboration. Village elections also typically occur on different dates than larger municipal elections.

  • The Waterford mayoral election is scheduled for March 18, 2026.
  • The current mayor, Bert Mahoney, is stepping down after nearly three decades in office.

The players

Michelle Cleary

A Republican candidate running for mayor of the Village of Waterford.

Craig Falcone

A Republican candidate running for mayor of the Village of Waterford.

Bert Mahoney

The longtime mayor of the Village of Waterford who is stepping down after nearly three decades in office.

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What they’re saying

“We also need to be good stewards of the funds that we receive and so how are we improving our community but best utilizing our resources, not overspending, but also looking for practical ways and partnerships and opportunities to maximize the resources that are out there.”

— Michelle Cleary, Mayoral Candidate

“If you have a problem, what's your address? Are you home? Yes. I'll be there in 5 minutes. I like talking to people. You get a lot more of a talking to people about their problems and their issues than if you just talk to them on the phone, like, show it to me, let's work on it.”

— Craig Falcone, Mayoral Candidate

What’s next

The Waterford mayoral election is scheduled for March 18, 2026, when voters will choose between the two Republican candidates, Michelle Cleary and Craig Falcone.

The takeaway

Village elections like the one in Waterford often receive less attention than larger municipal races, but they play a crucial role in shaping the day-to-day lives of residents. The more personal, community-focused approach of village leaders highlights the unique challenges and priorities they face compared to their counterparts in bigger cities.