After a slew of legal battles after last year's tie in the 6th district of Binghamton against incumbent Republican Phillip Strawn, Democrat candidate Rebecca Rathmell won the seat on the Binghamton city council last night in a special election.

The win means the Democrat party has gained unanimous control over the council, from 6 Democrats to 1 Republican, to a clean 7 to nothing.

Rathmell hopes the council will use that to get significant legislation passed, with a focus on housing as a key issue.

"I can't wait to sit in City Council chambers in that six district seat with the other council members. I mean, they've led in the last 12 months. I mean, we flipped city council last year, and that was significant in and of itself. And they have faced significant battles when it comes to dealing with a, you know, an executive at the mayors level and department heads.  And so I am looking forward to joining them in that fight," Rathmell says.