Incumbents emerge victorious

SULLIVAN  —   It was a late night for candidates across New York State and in Sullivan County after voters headed to the polls on Tuesday and participated in early voting to make their voices heard. 

Voter turnout in Sullivan County was high, with the Sullivan County Board of Elections (SCBOE) reporting that over 3,000 people participated in early voting at the Government Center in Monticello between October 29 and November 6. 

Large crowds turned out at polling sites on Election Day with lines that stretched out the door. Some residents, such as Liberty and Narrowsburg, reported unusually long wait times of up to an hour. 

Some Democratic candidates and supporters met at the Tango Cafe in Hurleyville on Tuesday evening to watch the results come in. Local Republicans met at the Liberty Diner on Sullivan Avenue in Liberty with hopeful anticipation just as the polls were closing. 

Here are the unofficial results according to numbers by the SCBOE and the New York State Board of Elections: 

Governor

Kathy Hochul, who took office after the resignation of former Governor Andrew Cuomo in August of 2021, won a full term in her own right. 

According to unofficial results from the NYSBOE, Hochul defeated Republican Challenger Lee Zeldin by 2,949,425 (52.18 percent) votes to 2,656,293 (46.99 percent).

Zeldin outperformed Hochul in Sullivan County, with 14,388 (60.40 percent) votes against her 9,415 (39.52 percent) votes.

Hochul becomes the first woman to be elected governor of the State of New York.

Comptroller 

In the race for State Comptroller, incumbent Democrat Thomas DiNapoli defeated Republican challenger Paul Rodriguez by 3,109,561 (55.01 percent) votes against 2,367,827 (41.89 percent) votes. 

Attorney General 

In the race for New York State Attorney General, Incumbent Democrat Letitia James defeated Republican Challenger Michael Henry with 2,977,397 (52.68 percent) votes to 2,529,991 (44.76 percent) votes.

United States Senator

In the race for United States Senator, incumbent Democrat Chuck Schumer was reelected with 3,115,161 (55.07 percent) votes against Republican and Conservative Party Challenger Joe Pinion with 2,405,553 (42.52 percent) votes.  Third-party candidate Diane Sare received 25,366 (0.45 percent) votes.

State Supreme Court Third Judicial District

There were three Democrats and one Republican candidate vying for three positions in the State Supreme Court’s Third Judicial District. According to unofficial results from the NYSBOE, Democrats picks up two seats with Republican and Conservative Party Candidate Thomas Marcelle picking up the third. 

Local Sullivan County District Attorney Meagan Galligan led the pack with 164,493 (16.15 percent) votes.

“It is an honor to have earned the trust of our community and the people of Albany, Rensselaer, Ulster, Columbia, Greene and Schoharie Counties,” Galligan told the Democrat. “I have committed my career to public service here in my hometown, and Sullivan County has supported me and my family through the best and worst of times. Together, we have strengthened and supported our law enforcement community, transformed our county’s approach to the opiate crisis, held those responsible for crime accountable for their actions, and demonstrated our belief that doing the right thing is its own reward.”

Other winners included  Sharon Graff with 162,909 (15.99 percent) votes and Republican Thomas Marcelle with 162,834 (15.98 percent) votes.

Democrat Heidi Thais Cochrane received 160,822 (15.79 percent) votes. 

U.S. Congress

The race for New York’s 19th Congressional District was a close one, with Republican Marc Molinaro maintaining his lead over Democrat Josh Riley to emerge as the winner.

According to the NYSBOE, Molinaro won with 142,354 votes (50.27 percent), while Riley received 136,071 (48.05 percent).

The race was officially called for Molinaro by the Associated Press on Wednesday afternoon, after presstime for the Sullivan County Democrat. 

“I am incredibly grateful to the people in New York’s 19th Congressional District. I commend my opponent Josh Riley, because running for office is incredibly challenging - and credit belongs to the individual who enters the arena," Molinaro said. "Looking forward, my goal is to listen to, learn from and serve all of this district.  Together we will focus on solutions to address inflation, crime, and mental health, along with having the best constituent services for Upstate New York.  Thank you again. Corinne, and I are incredibly grateful and I am honored to serve.”  

Riley said the campaign has been one with many twists, turns and obstacles to overcome.

“With the ballots cast, votes counted, and campaign ended, it’s important to set aside our divisions and do our best to unite," Riley said. "It’s in that spirit that I wish Marc success as he goes to Washington to serve us and represent us."

 State Senate

The race for the newly constructed New York 51st Senate District saw incumbent NYS Senator Peter Oberaker, a Republican, defeating Democratic Challenger and Village of Walton trustee Eric Ball.

Oberaker, according to the NYSBOE, received 72,650 votes (60.39 percent). Ball garnered 43,757 votes (36.37 percent).

 “Throughout the campaign I have crisscrossed the new 51st Senate District, spending time with local elected officials, small business owners, and citizens,” said Oberaker in a press release. “The feedback I received was clear – a change is needed in Albany.  I will spearhead that transformation, fighting back against rising spending, higher taxes, policies that put criminals first, and a failure to recognize our Constitutional rights.

“We are losing people at a record pace and we need to turn that trend around by creating new opportunities for growth while making New York more affordable,” added Oberacker.

State Assembly

Sullivan County now has three NYS Assembly districts within its border. The one that encompasses the largest portion of the County is the 100th NYS Assembly District, which saw Democratic incumbent Aileen Gunther holding off Republican challenger Lisa LaBue. According to the NYSBOE, Gunther received 19,525 votes (54.62 percent) to LaBue’s 15,042 (42.08 percent).

“First I would like to thank all those who came out to support me throughout this process. From volunteers to staff to my family it was truly a team effort,” Gunther told the Democrat. “I want to thank the constituents of Orange and Sullivan Counties for giving me another opportunity to serve them. 

“I will continue to be a representative for all people in my district,” continued Gunther. “I look forward to continuing to bring back our taxpayer money for important projects here at home, and passing legislation to help improve the lives of the people of the State of New York. Again, thank you.”

In the 101st NYS Assembly District, which encompasses the Town of Neversink, Republican Brian Maher, who is Town of Montgomery Supervisor, defeated Democrat Matthew Mackey to the tune of 29,859 votes (60.19 percent) to 17,947 (36.18 percent).

And finally, in the new 121st NYS Assembly District, which now includes the Town of Fremont, Republican incumbent Joe Angelino, who ran unopposed, garnered 40,683 votes (76.57 percent). A little over 12,000 voters left the space blank. 

Sullivan County 

Family Court Judge

The position of Sullivan County Family Court Judge was won by Jacqueline Ricciani, who ran unopposed and garnered 16,185 votes (100.00 percent).

“I know the issues that adults and children face in the Family Court, and I know it is important for everyone to be heard. As your Family Court Judge, I will always strive to act in the best interests of our children and families,” Ricciani said in an online statement.

Village of Woodridge 

Mayor 

In the race for the Mayor’s Office for the Village of Woodridge, incumbent Joan Collins received 146 votes (59.11 percent), putting them over Nolan Akerley, who got 64 votes (25.91 percent) and Steven Levy, who got 36 votes (14.57 percent). 

“Thank you to everyone who supported me with their votes, encouragement and their hard work. I am looking forward to serving the Village of Woodridge residents for another two years,” Collins said.

Village Trustee

In the race for Village Trustee in the Village of Woodridge, securing the two seats was Ronald Kates with 160 votes (34.12 percent) and Yaacov Levine with 146 votes (31.13 percent). Following behind them was Ricardo Nieves, Jr. with 113 votes (24.09 percent) and Moshe Weinberg with 48 votes (10.23 percent).

Town of Fremont

Town Justice

The position of Town Justice for the Town of Fremont was secured by Anna Milucky, who ran unopposed and received a total of 400 votes (99.50 percent).

Ballot Propositions

The Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act was passed in Sullivan County with 11,646 votes (54.60 percent) for yes, and 9,685 votes for no (45.40 percent). 

Statewide, the proposal on the Environmental Bond Act received 3,333,589 votes (59.01 percent) for yes, and 1,630,054 votes (28.85 percent) votes for no.

The following propositions in the Town of Tusten regarded the proposed prohibition of Cannabis dispensaries and on-site consumption locations. In these cases, a vote for no resulted in a vote in favor of Cannabis-based businesses.

Proposal One for the Town of Tusten received 352 votes (54.15 percent) for no, and 298 votes (45.85 percent) for yes. 

Proposal Two for the Town of Tusten received 385 votes (59.88 percent) for no, and 258 votes (40.12 percent) votes for yes.