Democrat Yvonne Flowers has claimed victory in the Poughkeepsie mayoral election, beating out Republican Anthony LaRocca Jr. 

Flowers claimed victory shortly after 10 p.m., and LaRocca, still trailing by over 35 points, conceded roughly an hour later. 

Flowers was born and raised in Poughkeepsie and served eight years on the city council. She defeated two opponents in the Democratic primary in June, campaigning on ensuring Poughkeepsie’s waterfront development helps the city’s economic development and tourism. Flowers said she wanted to run because she wanted to expand on her successes helping the 5th ward — like reducing gun violence and improving home ownership — into the rest of the city.  

Flowers will be the first Black mayor in the city’s history.  

“I have children who live here. I have grandchildren that live here. I have been embedded into the community, in helping families in the community for over decades,” Flowers said in June. “As far as I’m concerned, and the work that I’ve done in this city, I am truly deeply invested in this community. I lived in public housing, I understand the struggles that people have went through.”

LaRocca, a teacher at Our Lady of Lourdes, said he ran so Flowers wouldn’t be unopposed.  

“I tell my students, 'hey, you got to have opposition in America, and there can't be one-party rule,'" he said in October. "I had to jump in for that reason.”

LaRocca campaigned on increasing the city’s police department budget and lower property taxes. He said his down-the-middle, compromise-focused approach resonated with Republicans, Democrats and independents he spoke with.

Flowers will replace interim Mayor Marc Nelson, who had been serving out the remainder of former Mayor Rob Rolison’s term. Nelson ran for re-election, but lost to Flowers in the Democratic primary. Rolison, a Republican, has been a member of the state Senate since January.