Updated: 11/4/20 - 3:12 P.M.
TOMPKINS COUNTY, NY (WSKG) - The election in New York’s 23rd congressional district stretched through a summer of protests, violence at one campaign office and a pandemic.
On election night, incumbent Tom Reed declared victory. Just a few hours later, the Associated Press called the race for Reed.*
His opponent, Tracy Mitrano, hasn’t commented on that declaration.
Shortly after the polls closed at 9:00 P.M., Mitrano reflected on her chances of victory.
She said it would take any Democrat two election cycles to flip the district, which includes Elmira, Hornell and Ithaca.
"To really get to know the people in the district so that they’re willing to pass over the party designation and look at the person and vote for the person," Mitrano said. "And that’s what I’ve been counting on all along here."
But about two hours later, Reed declared victory.
With a majority of election districts reporting, Reed stood before family, friends and supporters. He said the first order of business is the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We are gonna have brighter days ahead of us because we’re gonna get COVID-19 in our rearview mirror so we can get back to work and start delivering for this country again and for this state and for this district," Reed said.
Reed faced Mitrano for a second consecutive time.
She did not immediately respond to WSKG’s request to comment on Reed’s claim to victory on election night. She has previously said she will not run a third time.
The district stretches from Tioga County across the western Southern Tier. It includes Hornell, Elmira and Ithaca.
Counties across the district have record numbers of absentee ballots to count. The official election results will not be final until they are and that doesn’t begin until later this week.
*This story has been updated after the AP called the race for Reed