A total of 35 individuals have served as mayor since the city's incorporation in 1897, some serving numerous terms. John DeFrancesco (Democrat) is the current mayor; he was first elected in 2025 and began service on January 1, 2026.
On April 23, 1897, Governor Frank S. Black granted a law under Chapter 359 creating the municipality that would be known as the City of Rensselaer.
Charles S. Allen served as the first mayor of the new municipality. The first meeting of the common council of the City of Rensselaer was ordered by Mayor Allen to take place on Tuesday evening April 27, 1897 at 8:30 pm.
Nineteenth century #PortraitMayorStartEndPartyComment1Charles S. Allen18971899The first mayor of the City of Rensselaer, New York. Charles Allen convened the first common council meeting in the City of Rensselaer on April 27, 1897. Charles Allen was a graduate of Vermont Medical College. During the Civil War, he was an assistant surgeon of the 125th New York Volunteer Infantry. Allen was also coroner of Rensselaer County for nine years and president of the village of Greenbush.2James I. Miles19001901
Twentieth century #PortraitMayorStartEndPartyComment3Bradford R. Lansing1901RepublicanGrocer and pork dealer. Bradford Lansing was born in Niskayuna, NY in 1860. He became Mayor of Rensselaer in 1901. Lansing was a member of the NYS Assembly between 1906–1912.4Thomas Kimber19041907 5W. Rockefeller19081911 6Thomas Penny19111913 Chaplain of Masonic Greenbush Lodge Chapter, No. 274 in 1911. 7Fred A. Rohloff191419158John H. McIntyre19151918Appointed Sheriff by the Governor of New York on June 30, 1921.9John S. Hall19191920Served on the Committee on Literacy Program in 1919.10Henry Meurs19211922RepublicanHardware dealer. Henry Meurs was a member of the NYS Assembly representing the 2nd District of Rensselaer County in 1924.11Harvey C. Younghans19231925Harvey Younghans served as mayor for a short time. Several years later, Younghans served as city clerk.12James W. Adams19261929RepublicanPreviously served as city treasurer.13Clarence A. McNally19301931DemocratAlternate delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York in 1960. Clarence McNally served as Mayor during the 1930s and the 1950s.14James Johnstone1932193515William T. Wright19361939Republican16Marshall C. Rose19401941Democrat17Charles G. Maloy19431945Charles Maloy did not finish his term in office and resigned for unknown reasons.18Thomas S. H. Clark19451953Democrat19W. Hardt1953195320Clarence A. McNally19541961See first entry above21John H. Warden1966197122Irwin Stewart1972197323Joseph P. Mink1974198124Thomas E. Henry III19811983Mayor Henry was removed from office in 1983 following his conviction for official misconduct and obstructing governmental administration after threatening an alderman to vote a specific way.25Edward J. Finlan19831983DemocratEdward Finlan was instated as Mayor of Rensselaer following Mayor Henry's conviction. Finlan had previously served as President of the city council. Under the city charter, the next in the line of succession to fill a vacancy in the mayor's office is the council president. 26Joseph E. Harrigan1984199327John F. Ryan1994199628Joseph Kapp19961996Republican29Edward J. Finlan19971997Democrat30Linda M. Ganance19982001Democrat
Twenty-first century #PortraitMayorStartEndPartyComment31Mark G. Pratt20022005RepublicanMark Pratt was a Republican mayor who ran on a bipartisan platform. He made significant changes even though he faced opposition. Due to forging ahead to make great positive change, he was accused of gas theft and the judge dismissed all charges as there was no wrongdoing.32Daniel J. Dwyer20062018DemocratDaniel Dwyer was a past City Alderman and the 32nd Mayor of Rensselaer. Mayor Dwyer died in November 2018 after serving as Mayor for 12 years.33Richard J. Mooney20192019DemocratRichard Mooney was a past City Alderman, Council President and the 33rd Mayor of Rensselaer. Under the city charter, Mooney was instated as Mayor following the death of Mayor Daniel Dwyer in 2018.34Michael E. Stammel20202025RepublicanMichael Stammel previously served as a City Alderman and a Legislator on the Rensselaer County Legislature from 2002-2021. From 2017-2021 he served as its Chairman.35John A. DeFrancesco2026PresentDemocratJohn DeFrancesco was a past City Alderman and Council Pro Tempore. Under the city charter, DeFrancesco was instated as Council President when Ricard Mooney became Mayor following the death of Mayor Daniel Dwyer in 2018. DeFrancesco was elected Council President in 2019 and again in 2021. In 2025 he was elected as Mayor, a position he currently holds.
References
Further reading Source for the names and years: