In August, Senate (elect) Fred Akshar visited Harris’ Diner on North Avenue in Owego, N.Y. during his campaign tour in Tioga County. (Owego Pennysaver / File Photo)
The General Election for 2015 has concluded, with unofficial election results posted that include several contested races around the county. There were 18 polling sites, 160 election inspectors, and polls officially closed at 9 p.m. on Nov. 3 in Tioga County, N.Y.
Two of the most contested races in this year’s General Election were the 52nd State Senate District to fill the seat of former Deputy Majority Leader Tom Libous – and potentially decide control of the Senate; and the position of Tioga County Clerk.
52nd Senate Seat
For the Senate seat, Fred Akshar, who was running on both a Republican and Independent ticket, defeated Barb Fiala, who was running on a Democratic and Working Families ticket in this election with Akshar taking a huge lead with 6,867 votes in Tioga County and Fialia earning 1,453 votes.
Upon Akshar’s win, he stated, “I’m humbled by the overwhelming amount of support from every part of the district and from both sides of the aisle. I’d like to thank my family for their love and support throughout this campaign, the hundreds of volunteers who lent their time and energy to help make sure our message reached the voters, our great Sheriff, Dave Harder for his friendship and guidance and my colleagues in law enforcement.”
He added, “Finally, I’d like to thank the voters for instilling their trust in me. I pledge to fight for their concerns and for their fair treatment in Albany and to always be an open, accessible and passionate representative for them.”
Tioga County Clerk
For Tioga County Clerk, Democratic candidate Sandra Knapp-Dunbar and Republican candidate Andrea Klett were vying for this position.
With 100 percent of the precincts reporting, Klett defeated Knapp-Dunbar with Klett receiving 5,886 votes and Knapp-Dunbar receiving 2,143 votes.
As for other local elections, incumbent Republican Sheriff Gary Howard ran uncontested to retain his seat and received 6,640 votes.
County Coroner
For County Coroner, Ryan H. Kline and Robert Williams, both Republicans were on the ballot for two positions. Kline received 6,065 votes, while Williams received 6,126 votes.
Barton
In Barton, N.Y., Republican Joan C. Richards ran uncontested for Town Clerk, receiving 646 votes. Republicans David Shipman and John Tryon were on the ballot to run for two open Councilman seats, with Shipman receiving 616 votes and Tyron receiving 617 votes. Republican Chris Spaulding ran uncontested for Superintendent of Highways, with 648 votes earned.
Legislative District 5
In Waverly, N.Y., Republican Raymond Case ran uncontested to retain his seat on the County Legislature for District 5, and received 390 votes.
Candor
In Candor, Democrat Kevin Luddy and Republicans Joseph R. Bish, Sr. and William A. Strosahl, Jr. were vying for two open Councilman seats, with Bish earning 659 votes, Strosahl gaining 699 votes, and Luddy, who was defeated, garnering 294 votes.
As for Town Clerk in Candor, Republican, Connie Dence-Kulze was running on the Republican and Peace Party Line against Beacon of Light candidate Patricia Halstead for one seat. Dence-Kulze earned 657 votes, defeating Halstead, who earned 284 votes.
Republican Kevin David Noble ran uncontested for Superintendent of Highways, earning 800 votes; and Republican Robert A. Riggs ran uncontested for Town Supervisor, earning 771 votes.
Nichols
In Nichols, N.Y., Republicans S. Tracy Monell and Loretta A. Sullivan ran to maintain two seats on the County Legislature, with Monell earning 1,391 votes, and Sullivan receiving 1,392 votes.
Also in Nichols, N.Y., Republican Karen A. Hunsinger ran for Town Clerk, earning 342 votes; and Republicans Barbara J. Crannell and Esther A. Woods were running for two open Councilman seats, with Crannell earning 288 votes and Woods earning 288 votes. Democrat Kevin R. Vought ran uncontested to retain his seat as Superintendent of Highways, earning 261 votes.
Legislative District 1
For County Legislative District 1, Democrat Dan Sniezek challenged Republican Richard Huttleston for one County Legislative seat, with Huttleston defeating Sniezek by earning 775 votes; Sniezek garnered 362 votes.
Legislative District 2
In Owego, Republican Martha Sauerbrey ran uncontested to retain her seat as County Legislature for District 2, earning 723 votes.
Owego
Also in Owego, Republicans Patrick K. Hogan and John P. Schumacher ran for two open Town Justice seats, with Hogan receiving 2,870 votes and Schumacher earning 2,997 votes.
For Councilman in Owego, Democrat and Working Party candidate Janet Thomas, Republican Wayne Moulton, and Republican Barbara Roberts were challenging each other for two available seats, with Moulton receiving 2,439 votes, Roberts earned 2,647 votes, and Thomas, who was defeated, earning 1,532 votes.
Spencer
In Spencer, N.Y., Republican Randall Thayer ran uncontested for Town Supervisor, earning 300 votes. Also in Spencer, Republicans Raymond Bunce and Ronald A. Koski, Jr. ran for two available councilman seats with Bunce receiving 301 votes and Koski earning 296 votes.
Berkshire
In Berkshire, Democrat Bonnie Swartwood and Republican Annette Thayer challenged each other for one Town Clerk position, with Thayer defeating Swartwood by earning 195 votes; Swartwood garnered 86 votes.
Also in Berkshire, Democrat John D. Stoughton and Republican Ronald A. Sharp ran for two Councilman seats, with Stoughton receiving 183 votes and Sharp receiving 211 votes.
Newark Valley
In Newark Valley, Republican Barbara S. Mock ran uncontested for the Town Clerk position, with 523 votes earned. Also in Newark Valley, Republican Todd E. Smith was challenged by Corey Relyea – who ran under “The Right Reason” Party, for Town Justice, with Smith receiving 506 votes, defeating Relyea, who earned 55 votes. Republicans Timothy Dalton and Stephen Tennant ran for two council seats, with Dalton receiving 519 votes and Tennant earning 490 votes.
Richford
In Richford, Republican Velvet Lyke ran uncontested for the Town Clerk position, earning 187 votes. Also in Richford, Republican Charles E. Davis and Democrat Martin Wilcox challenged each other for the position of Supervisor, with Davis defeating Wilcox by earning 184 votes; Wilcox garnered 37 votes.
Also contested in Richford were two councilman seats with Democrat William E. Stell, Sr., Republican Charles W. Thayer, and Democrat Cynthia Herrick on the ticket. Stell was defeated, bringing in 111 votes; while Thayer, with 136 votes and Herrick, with 128 votes earned the seats.
Republican Michael F. Hunt ran uncontested for Superintendent of Highways in Richford with 176 votes.
Tioga
In the Town of Tioga, Republican incumbent Lewis Zorn ran uncontested as Town Supervisor, earning 614 votes. Republican and Liberty Party Brenda Middendorf challenged Positive Party candidate Karen Wells for the position of Town Clerk, with Middendorf defeating Wells by earning 658 votes, while Wells’ garnered 97 votes.
Republican Paul Martin, Jr. ran uncontested for Town Justice, earning 637 votes, and Republicans Drew Griffin and Gerald Hyatt were on the ballot for two councilman seats with Griffin earning 555 votes and Hyatt 596.
Republican Frank Catalano ran uncontested for the position of Superintendent of Highways, receiving 651 votes.
For more information on voting, results or absentee ballots, be sure to contact the Board of Elections by calling (607) 687-8261.
