Antonio Delgado, one of the first Democrats eyeing John Faso’s seat to visit Schoharie County in the spring of 2017, will be taking on the first-term Congressman in November elections.
In unofficial results, Mr. Delgado won the Democratic primary in close, crowded race.
He also won Schoharie County.
Across the 19th Congressional District, Mr. Delgado earned 7,690 votes—21.9 percent of 35,115 total votes cast.
Gareth Rhodes polled 6,442 votes—18.3 percent—and Pat Ryan, 6,194 votes for 17.6 percent of the vote.
After congratulating his opponents for “tough, good-natured campaigns,” Mr. Delgado spoke of the battle ahead.
“Tonight we have taken the first step toward restoring dignity and integrity to our representation in New York 19,” he said.
“The people have spoken loudly and clearly: more than ideology, more than identity, more than class or background, we can all stand together behind the unifying principles that our country was founded on. Freedom, justice, equality and opportunity for all.”
Congressman Faso issued his own post-election statement that—at first—appeared to congratulate his Democratic opponent in a press release “John Faso Welcomes Antonio Delgado to the Debate.”
“I congratulate Mr. Delgado on his victory in the Democratic Primary Election,” Congressman Faso said in the release.
“This November, Mr. Delgado will cast his first-ever election vote for Congress in our district after just moving here from New Jersey.
“He will soon learn, as the last two Democratic candidates for Congress before him, that our neighbors do not look kindly upon candidates who have just moved into our district and presume to represent us.”
The 19th District includes 10 counties.
Mr. Delgado won all but Columbia, Sullivan, and Delaware Counties, which went to Mr. Rhodes; and Rensselaer County, which went to Mr. Ryan.
In Schoharie County, Mr. Delgado polled 275 votes---30.2 percent.
He was followed by Bryan Flynn, 146 votes and 16 percent, and Mr. Ryan, 145 votes and 15.9 percent.
Unofficial Election Night town-by-town winners:
--Blenheim—Erin Collier, 13 votes.
--Broome—Antonio Delgado—16 votes.
--Carlisle—Gareth Rhodes, 11 votes.
--Cobleskill—Delgado, 79 votes.
--Conesville—Delgado, 6 votes.
--Esperance—Delgado, 18 votes.
--Fulton—Delgado, 13 votes.
--Gilboa—Delgado, 10 votes.
--Jefferson—Brian Flynn, 10 votes.
--Middleburgh—Delgado, 31 votes.
--Richmondville—Delgado, 23 votes.
--Schoharie—Delgado, 28 vootes.
--Seward—Flynn, 14 votes.
--Sharon—Flynn, 39.
--Summit—Pat Ryan, 10 votes.
--Wright—Delgado, 18 votes.