[Editor’s note: This story reflects tallies from early voting and in-person voting on November 3. Two candidates, Meagan Galligan and Mike Martucci, have filed separate lawsuits regarding the counting of ballots and a balloting hearing has been rescheduled to begin on Monday, November 16.]

DISTRICT 42, NY — With about 25,000 absentee ballots that had not been tallied, Mike Martucci, ahead by more than 10,000 votes, declared he is the winner on Wednesday morning, November 4. According to a press release, Martucci said, “The margin of victory at the polls was substantial enough to overcome the number of mail-in and absentee ballots on file with the Board of Elections. In order for Sen. Metzger to overcome the deficit, she would need to carry every single third party and non-affiliated vote cast by mail by a margin of three to one—a mathematical impossibility.”

In her own press release, Metzger said, “It has been my joy and honor to serve the 42nd Senate District over the last two years. It’s so important that we make sure every vote is counted. There are about 25,000 absentee ballots to count, and we know that they are overwhelmingly from Democratic voters. We expect the process of counting absentees to be an orderly process that will take several weeks, and we will patiently await the final results. I hope to have the opportunity to continue to fight for the communities I represent.”

In unofficial Sullivan County results as of November 4, Martucci received 57.64 percent of the vote to Metzger’s 42.34 percent. 

Martucci was one of five Republican Senate candidates who filed lawsuits on Monday, November 2 to impound all absentee, affidavit and military ballots in anticipation of future ballot challenges. Those ballots are not set to be opened and counted until November 16.

Martucci was leading 58,685 to 48,054 early Wednesday, with all 263 precincts reporting, according to unofficial results. 

Gunther reelected

Running unopposed, Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther was reelected by 99.49 percent. Out of the 15,629 votes cast, 79 were write-ins.   

Delgado expected to hold onto his seat

In Sullivan County, Democrat Antonio Delgado received 49.12 percent of the vote, while Republican challenger Kyle De Water received 48.92 percent. Statewide, according to the Associated Press, Delgado’s numbers were 129,579, or 51.4 percent, while Water received 117,623, or 46.7 percent.

Galligan leads Labuda

In a contentious race for Sullivan County District Attorney, Meagan Galligan received 55.35 percent and Frank J. LaBuda received 44.55 percent. In unofficial results that, again, does not include absentee balloting, Galligan received 14,416 votes, with LaBuda receiving 11,603. Galligan filed a show cause and restraining order that prohibits the certification of election results until a hearing or decision by the courts.

Susan L. Brown leads Tammy W. Lapolt

In Bethel, Susan L. Brown received 55.62 percent of the vote with Tammy W. Lapolt receiving 44.18 percent. Brown ran on the Republican and Independent lines while Lapolt ran on the Democratic and Conservative lines. Brown received 856 votes and Lapolt received 680.

Tight race for Rockland Justice

With only .14 percentage points or two votes between them, Karrie A. Jara received 516 votes and Scott Steingart received 514 votes. Richard E. Dame, who ran on the Conservative line, received 339. Jara ran on the Democratic and Justice line; Steingart ran on the Republican and Independent line.

Fremont’s Hubert in the lead

In the Town of Fremont Councilman race, out of the 540 votes cast, James J. Geier received 193 votes while John J. Hubert received 347.

For the full list of Sullivan County’s tallies, visit www.bit.ly/scelection46.