VESTAL, NY (WSKG) - After 41,005 ballots were tallied election night, Libertarian Mike Korchak holds a 122 vote lead over Republican Paul Battisti. That means the race for Broome County District Attorney will likely be decided by absentee and affidavit ballots.
The third candidate, Democrat Debra Gelson, unofficially finished about 4,000 votes behind.
“It’s been a long road, but we’re still hopeful that we’ll come out on top," said Korchak as the final results were coming in. "But it’s really too close to call at this point." He spoke after meeting supporters at Peterson's Tavern in Binghamton.
On the other side of the Chenango River, at the Broome County Republican election night party, Battisti noted this is the second time an election between these two candidates has come down to absentee and affidavit ballots.
In last spring's Republican primary, Battisti finished slightly ahead. Over the next few weeks, that lead grew after more ballots were counted. Still Korchak stayed in the race, earning the Libertarian nomination.
For Battisti, this is just another chapter in a contentious campaign.
“Obviously, it’s like a roller coaster: you’re high, you’re low," he said. "But, based on what went up and what went down in the primary, you got an understanding of, if that happens, how to feel. Stay calm, maintain your patience and wait for the end result.”
That end result won’t come for a couple more weeks. Absentee and affidavit ballots will be counted November 19th.
The office is currently held by Republican Steve Cornwell, who's leaving office to run for Congress.