Chemung County Republicans voted for change in Tuesday’s primary election, with challenger Mark Margeson on pace to defeat incumbent county executive Christopher Moss.
Margeson received 2,482 votes while Moss netted 1,979 in the unofficial tally from the Chemung County Board of Elections as of 11:40 p.m., a margin of 55.55% to 44.29%.
“Tonight is really about all the people who volunteered and helped. Not about me,” Margeson stated on social media Tuesday night. “This win was the result of a large team effort. Hundreds who put up lawn signs, made phone calls, hosted us for events. And I am very grateful to those who joined us with their votes today.
“Our fight for our home and a better future for our children and grandchildren continues on. We will continue bringing people together to solve problems across Chemung County.”
Margeson, who is the current chairman of the Chemung County Legislature, was elected to the county legislature representing District 5 (towns of Erin and Horseheads) in 2018. Margeson also serves as chairman of the Chemung County Industrial Development Agency. In the private sector, he has experience in the hotel, airline and insurance industries.
Moss was seeking a third four-year term as county executive. He won a three-way race in 2018 to earn the seat.
Moss previously spent three decades with the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office, including 13 years as sheriff. Moss was elected sheriff in 2005, winning reelection in 2009, 2013 and 2017. In 2014, he ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor with Republican gubernatorial hopeful Rob Astorino.
Other Chemung County races
There were also Republican primary races for four county legislature seats.
Democratic primary results in Chemung County
Democrats in Chemung County had two primary races on the ballot, for state comptroller and the 23rd congressional district.
In the 23rd District, St. Bonaventure University professor Aaron Gies took the Democratic nomination and will face the incumbent, Republican Nick Langworthy, in November’s general election. Gies defeated Erie County attorney Kevin Stocker. In Chemung County, Gies cruised with 1,596 votes to 488 for Stocker in the latest tally from the Board of Elections.
Gies was endorsed by Indivisible Corning Elmira on June 22.
“We’ve been impressed with his ability to listen to our concerns, his depth of knowledge on how public policy impacts real families, and by his clear passion for helping our community thrive,” the local group stated.
In the comptroller’s race, incumbent Tom DiNapoli defeated challenges from Drew Warshaw and Raj Goyle. In Chemung County, DiNapoli cruised with 1,561 votes in the latest tally from the Board of Elections. Warshaw received 316 and Goyle had 212.
“Tonight’s victory is a victory for every single working family in New York State, every public sector worker and first responder who relies on a secure pension, every student and senior who worries about the affordability crisis we’re facing,” DiNapoli stated.
“Our opponents tried over and over to derail our work with false attacks and reckless promises, but the people of New York once again have seen the value of steady, responsible leadership in these chaotic times.”
This story will be updated as votes are tallied by the Board of Elections.
This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Margeson tops Moss to win Chemung County executive Republican primary
Reporting by Chris Potter, Elmira Star-Gazette / Elmira Star-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Chris Potter, Elmira Star-Gazette | USA TODAY Network
