Dorcey Lanier Applyrs is an American politician and public health professional serving since 2026 as the 76th mayor of Albany,New York. A member of the Democratic Party,she is the first Black person to hold the office and previously served as Albany's city auditor and as a member of the Albany Common Council.
A native of Washington,D.C.,Applyrs moved to New York's Capital District c.2003 and earned a Doctor of Public Health from the University at Albany,SUNY. She began her political career on the Albany Common Council,representing the 1st Ward after winning elections in 2013 and 2017. On the council,her legislative work included making city parks tobacco-free and addressing public safety concerns. In 2020,Applyrs became Albany's city auditor,a role she held until her mayoral campaign.
Applyrs won a four-way Democratic primary for mayor in June 2025 with 52 percent of the vote. She won the general election on November 4,2025,and took office on January 1,2026,succeeding Kathy Sheehan.
Early life and education
Applyrs is a native of Washington,D.C.[1][2] She moved to the Capital District,New York c.2003 to pursue a master's degree in public health.[2][3] She earned a Doctor of Public Health from the University at Albany,SUNY.[4][5] She submitted her dissertation in 2014,which was titled "Corticosteroid use,emotional health and work/regular daily activities:ethnic differences in women with systemic lupus erythematosus."[5] Her doctoral research studied a diverse sample of 284 women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and theorized that cultural factors,such as the "adoption of the Superwoman role," could influence health outcomes.[5]
Applyrs initially "had no interest in politics" while growing up in Washington,D.C. and did not take to Albany,New York immediately after moving.[2][3] She credited learning about the Center for Women in Government at the University at Albany as a "life-changing" experience that made a political career seem "tangible" for her.[2]
Career
Applyrs began her public service career in Albany doing HIV/AIDS advocacy work,including on Clinton Avenue.[4][2] She is the founder and chief executive officer of a business called InVision Her.[1][3]
Albany Common Council
Applyrs was a political newcomer when she first ran for the Albany Common Council in 2013.[1] She had initially dismissed the thought of running for office until receiving a call asking her to run.[2] She was endorsed by her predecessor,Dominick Calsolaro,whose support helped establish her reputation as a ward leader.[1] She was elected in 2013 and re-elected in 2017,representing the 1st Ward.[3][4] This was the first elected office she held.[2]
During her time on the council,Applyrs identified a lack of resources as a major challenge,describing the role as a "part-time position with full-time responsibility" where 15 members shared a single staffer.[1] Her first major piece of legislation passed was to make city parks tobacco-free.[2] She also focused on building relationships between police and communities of color,worked on the "Fight for 15" movement,and was one of the first to voice concerns about crude oil tanker trains near homes in the South End.[1][2] She successfully advocated for the creation of Quazhire Way (also cited as Qazir Sutherland),a street designation honoring a young boy killed by a car,and for lowering the speed limit on that section of South Pearl Street.[1][2]
In 2019,Applyrs was working with Common Council president Corey Ellis to establish an equity agenda for Albany.[1] She also led the Young Women &Girls Empowerment Summit at Albany Law School and participated with the Young Elected Officials Network Women's Conference.[1]
City auditor
In 2020,Applyrs became Albany's city auditor.[4] She served as the city's chief auditor until her mayoral run.[4][6]
2025 mayoral election
Applyrs was the first candidate to declare her bid for mayor,announcing in November 2023.[4][6] She received early support from the New York Working Families Party.[6] Her campaign was endorsed by outgoing mayor Kathy Sheehan,assembly speaker Carl Heastie,and other Albany-area Democrats.[4][6]
In June 2025,Applyrs won a four-way Democratic primary,defeating businessman Dan Cerutti,Corey Ellis,and Carolyn McLaughlin.[4] She won with 52 percent of the vote,a 24-point lead over Cerutti,who had the support of business interests.[6] Turnout for the primary was reported to be higher than in the previous year's presidential cycle.[6]
On November 4,2025,Applyrs won the general election,defeating Republican Rocco Pezzulo.[4] Her victory made her the first Black mayor to be elected in Albany's history.[4][6] Her election was described in Spectrum Local News as a "relatively swift rise" in Albany politics,as the city had only six mayors since 1942.[4]
Applyrs took office in January 2026,succeeding Sheehan to become the city's first new mayor in 12 years.[4] A key issue in her new administration will be the management of $400 million allocated by the state for downtown redevelopment.[4][6] Applyrs has stated she wants to use the funds to "prioritize anchor projects" to attract business and people downtown.[4] Political strategists noted she enters the office in a strong position due to her established relationships with state legislators and the governor's office.[6]
Personal life
Applyrs is married to Don Applyrs.[1][5] As of February 2019,she was a first-time mother to their newborn daughter.[1] She described the transition to motherhood as "eye-opening" and was adamant about taking maternity leave from her public role at the time.[1] As of November 2025,she is a mother of two.[4] Applyrs is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,Inc.[7]
1234Applyrs, Dorcey Lanier (2014). Corticosteroid use, emotional health and work/regular daily activities: ethnic differences in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (Doctor of Public Health). University at Albany, State University of New York. doi:10.54014/2W4D-5831.
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