POUGHKEEPSIE – Veteran Poughkeepsie City Councilwoman Yvonne Flowers made history on election night, becoming the first black woman to be elected mayor of the city of 32,000 people. Flowers turned back a challenge from schoolteacher and former City of Poughkeepsie cop Anthony LaRocca Jr. Flowers won every one of the eight wards in the city with 3,195 votes compared to Republican LaRocca who netted 1,474 votes.
On winning every ward, Flowers said, “People are ready for a change – they’re ready for this city to be united.” The visibly excited mayor-elect told a room full of supporters and fellow councilmembers that she was ready to work. Flowers pledged to get to the task of working on the 2024 proposed budget with the council while also working with her transition team and preparing to search for the next city administrator.
Da’Ron Wilson ran unopposed for the councilman-at-large position and will assume the role of chairman when he takes office.
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