New York State and Southern Tier Election Results: Senate, Assembly, and Local Races

The Southern Tier won’t see dramatic upheaval in Albany this cycle, but Tuesday’s vote delivered a split verdict that keeps Democrats in charge of the Ithaca area while Republicans extend their grip on the rural districts stretching from the Catskills to the Pennsylvania border, WSKG reported. Unofficial returns from the general election show incumbent Democrats and Republicans alike winning their bids for the State Senate and Assembly, setting up another two years of divided control in the region’s legislative delegation.

For residents of Tompkins and Cortland counties, the outcome means continuity in representation and committee leadership, while voters in the more conservative western and northern parts of the region reinforced the Republican majority that has dominated those seats for over a decade. The results also redraw county-level power in Chemung, where Republicans won the executive seat and held their legislative majority.

Lea Webb and Tom O’Mara Win Senate Races

In the 52nd State Senate District, which covers Tompkins and Cortland counties plus part of Broome, incumbent Democrat Lea Webb declared victory over Republican challenger Mike Bolles, securing 59 percent of the vote with 216 of 217 districts reporting as of 12:24 a.m., according to unofficial results. Webb, first elected in 2022, chairs the Women’s Issues committee in the State Senate, a position that gives her influence over legislation affecting families and healthcare policy across the state.

New York State and Southern Tier Election Results: Senate, Assembly, and Local Races — Photo: timesunion.com

Just to the west, Republican Chris Tague declared victory in the 51st District, a sprawling seat that stretches from the Southern Tier into the Catskills and includes all of Delaware and Otsego counties plus parts of Broome and Chenango. Tague, who has served as a state Assemblymember for the 102nd District since 2018, beat Democrat Michele Frazier with around 52 percent of the vote, with 289 of 292 districts reporting by 12:26 a.m. The seat became open after current Senator Peter Oberacker launched a bid for New York’s 19th Congressional District, a race he lost Tuesday night to Democratic incumbent Josh Riley.

Further south, incumbent Republican Tom O’Mara retained the 58th District with 63 percent of the vote, defeating Democratic challenger Jim Bobreksi. The district covers Tioga, Chemung, Schuyler, Seneca, Yates, and Steuben counties plus part of Allegany County. O’Mara, first elected in 2010, now returns for another term representing one of the most expansive rural districts in the chamber.

Election Night in the tri-state: Hochul reelected, Democrats win control of Congress

Assembly Delegation Sees New Face in Binghamton

Down-ballot, the 123rd Assembly District, which includes the City of Binghamton and the villages of Johnson City and Endwell along with the towns of Union and Vestal, will see new representation after longtime Assemblymember Donna Lupardo announced she would not seek reelection. Democrat Dan Norton declared victory over Republican Lynn Parker and Independent candidate Heather Micha, securing nearly 57 percent of the vote with 83 of 84 districts reporting as of 12:29 a.m.

Meanwhile, incumbent Republicans held the other two Assembly seats in the region. Christopher Friend secured another term in the 124th District, which includes Tioga County and parts of Broome and Chemung counties, winning roughly 58 percent of the vote over Democrat Andy Fagan’s 39 percent with all districts reporting. Friend was first elected to the Assembly in 2010. In the 133rd District, covering Livingston County and parts of Ontario, Monroe, Wyoming, and Steuben counties, Republican Andrea Bailey won reelection with 61 percent of the vote over Democrat Gladys Flores.

County Power Shifts in Chemung and Broome

At the county level, Republicans made significant gains in Chemung County, where Mark Margeson defeated incumbent County Executive Chris Moss with more than 58 percent of the vote to Moss’s 41 percent in what WSKG described as a heated matchup. Margeson, who won the Republican Party nomination during the June primaries, currently serves as the District 5 legislator and chairs both the county legislature and the Industrial Development Agency, and owns a private insurance agency. Moss had stayed in the race by running on the Conservative Party line after losing the GOP nomination. This will be Margeson’s first term in the county executive position.

Republicans also held their majority in the Chemung County Legislature, winning races in six districts. Two incumbents won reelection while three seats went to newcomers, and one Democrat held onto District 12 against a Republican challenger. All uncontested races went to incumbents except in District 6, where newcomer Republican Kyle Wieder won both the June primary and the general election. Legislature positions are term-limited to three consecutive four-year terms, with eligibility to run again after four years out of office.

In neighboring Broome County, Sheriff Fred Akshar won a second term with 58 percent of the vote, defeating former Binghamton mayor Matt Ryan, a Democrat, who took 40 percent. Akshar was first elected in 2022. Republicans maintained their majority in the Broome County Legislature, where five of seven Republican candidates with opponents won their races. Notable results included incumbent Stephen Flagg winning District 1 with 61 percent, Kelly Wildoner retaining District 3 with 57 percent, Dan Reynolds winning District 5 with 53 percent, Matthew Pasquale taking District 7 with 56 percent, and Louis Augostini securing District 12 with roughly 53 percent.

In Schuyler County, two legislative races remained too close to call early Wednesday morning. In District 5, which covers parts of Dix and Montour and the village of Montour Falls, Republican Charles Scaptura led Democrat and “Common Sense Schuyler” candidate Scott Burnside by 328 votes, or 68 percent, while in District 6, covering parts of Dix and Reading and the village of Watkins Glen, Democrat Craig Bond held a 60-vote lead over Republican Louis Perrazini, according to unofficial results posted by the Schuyler County Board of Elections. The Times Union notes that New York triggers an automatic recount when the margin of victory is 0.5 percent or less, or within 20 votes, meaning both Schuyler contests could face mandatory review as officials continue counting mail and affidavit ballots.

All results remain unofficial until certified by county and state boards of elections. The Times Union reports that winners will be declared when no scenario would allow the trailing candidate to close the gap, and that totals may continue to change throughout the night and in the days that follow as additional ballots are processed.

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