Mayor Valerie Keehn and long-time Public Works Commissioner Thomas McTygue both lost to their Republican counterparts and Commissioner of Finance Matt McCabe didn’t run for re-election so he could spend more time with his family.

The mayor’s race went back and forth for most of Tuesday night and ended with Keehn crossing Broadway to congratulate her opponent, Scott Johnson, for his victory.

“Wow,” Johnson said to his supporters at the Holiday Inn. “All of you deserve a big round of applause for brining the party to where it is today.”

Johnson’s 4,240 votes outdid Keehn’s 3,750. Independent challenger Gordon Boyd received 516 votes.

Johnson said he had written two speeches depending on the verdict from the votes. He crumpled one and threw it on the floor as his supporters cheered. He said he knew the race would be an uphill battle, but sensed a change of momentum over the last month.

“There are certain defining moments in your life,” Johnson said. “This is one of mine. This is one for all Saratogians.”

Johnson pledged to keep tax burden under control, rededicated self to goals, open door policy and represent people of the city to the best of his ability.

“This is a phenomenal night,” Johnson said. “I’m very pleased with the results.”

Meanwhile across the street at the Inn at Saratoga, Keehn addressed her supporters.

“We all came here tonight hoping for the best knowing this was a possibility,” Keehn said after the results came in. “We still have two big winners in this room with us and we are so proud of

Supervisor Joanne Yepsen and Commissioner Ron Kim.”

McTygue, lost to Republican Anthony “Skip” Scirocco by 1,966 votes.

The City Council could have a 3-2 advantage for the GOP, with Keehn and McTygue both losing. Ken Ivins leads Jane Weihe by 154 votes for the Commissioner of Finance post. Weihe has not conceded defeat with the absentee votes still to be collected.

Commissioner of Accounts John Franck ran unopposed on the way to his second term.

Two years ago, Keehn and her fellow Democrats swept the Republicans to gain control of the council. Now, Keehn and McTygue are out.

In her speech, Keehn addressed her supporters and thanked her team for helping her accomplish everything she has over the last two years. Since taking office, Keehn and McTygue have butted heads on various topics and issues. Keehn said in her term she took on McTygue and has made the city a better place.

“Not only did I have two opponents, but I had three opponents in this election,” Keehn said. “One of those opponents (McTygue) was the biggest political machine the city has every seen.”

Keehn continued, “While I won’t be sitting in the mayor’s seat, the person (Scirocco) sitting to the left of the mayor is going to be far better for this city because of something I have done and that is something no other mayor in this city has ever done.”

She said the city needs to celebrate because this is truly a victory for the city and reassured everyone she isn’t going away.

“We need to start the healing process,” she said “I’ll be right there working with you through it.”

When asked about the possibility of running for mayor again in two years, Keehn took a moment before saying she will be attending a lot of City Council meetings and sitting in the front row.

Keehn and Kim then walked to the Holiday Inn, where the Republicans were celebrating their victories county-wide, to congratulate Johnson and Scirocco. Keehn even gave a short speech in front of the Republicans addressing the future of the city without McTygue to rousing applause.

- Reporter Mike Ryan contributed to this report