Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard's chief of staff has locked up the Democratic primary to be the city's next comptroller.

Reverend Darren Morton is the declared winner with 59% of the vote. Morton far outpaced his opponents, City Council President Marcus Griffith and community activist, Derickson Lawrence.

Current Comptroller Deborah Reynolds decided not to run for a second turn. Reynolds’ term was marked by years of infighting between her, the council, and past mayors. As a result, top city officials have been unable to get the city's finances under control for years.

That’s why Rev. Morton says a major focus is to create financial stability and restore the city’s credit rating. “Our first priority is actually find out where we are, as it pertains to our fiscal affairs, where we are as it relates to cash flow. And then be able to take all of that information and chart a course forward in order for us to make sure that we are on good financial standing.”

The Mount Vernon city council races is still too close to call, but Danielle Brown is coming out on top in one of one of three seats.  

In Yonkers, with all the districts reporting,  Lekisha Collins-Bellamy has defeated incumbent Mike Khader in the highly contested Democratic primary for City Council president. Collins-Bellamy won the Democratic nod with 57% of the vote. 

The race took a turn in the last few weeks after the Yonkers City Council called for an independent investigation into allegations against Khader of workplace discrimination and possible ethics violations. Then in the middle of early voting, the city's Democratic Committee pulled its endorsement from Khader, and Mayor Mike Spano backed Collins-Bellamy.

 Collins-Bellamy says she never doubted she'd come out on top. "I just gave it 100%, just prayed, and trusted God's word, so I'm overjoyed."

In the Democratic council primaries, incumbents Corozon Pineda won in the 2nd district, John Rubo won in the 4th district, and newcomer Tim Hodges won in the 6th district.