List of mayors of Rensselaer, New York
A total of 35 individuals have served as mayor since the city's incorporation in 1897, some serving numerous terms. John DeFrancesco 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.