Election 2020: Delgado, Tague claim victory; Barber, Kratt concede

11/5/2020

By Patsy Nicosia and Jim Poole

Mirroring charges, false claims, and allegations nationally over Tuesday’s election—still ongoing Thursday—Congressman Antonio Delgado has declared his victory in the 19th District while Republican challenger Kyle Van De Water is calling that call premature.
“Not so fast Delgado,” Mr. Van De Water posted on his Facebook page Wednesday, minutes after Congressman Delgado issued a statement calling his re-election a testament to his hard work and dedication to serving every constituent.
“With all election districts reporting, I am leading by over 7,000 votes and the data shows that our margin of victory will grow once absentee ballots are accounted for,” Congressman Delgado said in a noon, Wednesday press release.
With approximately 60,000 absentee ballots left to be counted across the district, the Congressman said the majority—51.22 percent—were cast by Democrats while 22.2 percent were cast by Republicans.
Early returns show Mr. Van De Water winning Schoharie County.
The Board of Elections expects to begin counting absentee and military ballots Monday or Tuesday and finish by the end of next week.
Also declaring victory to a second term Wednesday afternoon was Assemblyman Chris Tague.
Election results from the state Board of Election show him defeating Democrat challenger Betsy Kraat by 19,536 votes, a 33.74 percent point difference, Assemblyman Tague said.
“I am humbled and honored to be able to remain the representative in Albany for the people of the 102nd District,” Assemblyman Tague said in a press release.
“It has been a long and exhausting campaign, but I am proud of the results we have earned. I am energized to get back to Albany and continue fighting for [our families.]
Ms. Kratt conceded the race Wednesday.
“As you know, we did not get the results we hoped for,” she said in a statement on her Facebook page. “We should not be surprised; we knew going in that this was a ‘heavy lift’ district.
“We should not be discouraged. If we get rid of our incumbent President during a pandemic, that will be enough for now.”
Also conceding was Democratic Jim Barber, who ran against Republican Peter Oberacker for the 51st Senate seat long held by Jim Seward, who is retiring.
“Although there are still many absentee ballots yet to be counted, it’s clear that we came short of a victory,” Mr. Barber said on his Facebook page Wednesday.
“Last night I called Mr. Oberacker to congratulate him and wish him success in the State Senate. He graciously offered to meet for coffee so that we could discuss the issues that are impacting out district.”

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Unofficial local results as of Thursday follow.

Schoharie County

President
--Democrat Joe Biden/Kamala Harris—4,006.
--Republican Donald Trump/Mike Pence—9,010.

19th Congressional District
--Democrat Antonio Delgado—5,195.
--Republican Kyle Van De Water—7,382.
[The 19th Congressional District includes all of Schoharie, Columbia, Delaware, Greene, Otsego, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties, and parts of Broome, Dutchess, Montgomery, and Rensselaer Counties.]

51st Senate District
--Democrat Jim Barber—4,870.
--Republican Peter Oberacker—8,196.
[The 51st Senate District includes all of Schoharie, Otsego, and Cortland Counties, and parts of Tompkins, Herkimer, Chenango, Cayuga, Delaware, and Ulster Counties.]

102nd Assembly District
--Democrat Betsy Kraat—3,150.
--Republican Chris Tague—9,908.
[The 102nd Assembly District includes all of Schoharie and Greene Counties and parts of Albany, Ulster, Delaware, and Otsego Counties.

Otsego County

President
--Democrat Joe Biden/Kamala Harris—9,138.
--Republican Donald Trump/Mike Pence—12,682.

19th Congressional District
--Democrat Antonio Delgado—10,129.
--Republican Kyle Van De Water—9,461.

51st Senate District
--Democrat Jim Barber—8,366.
--Republican Peter Oberacker—13,100.

102nd Assembly District
--Democrat Betsy Kraat—531.
--Republican Chris Tague—1,345.

Greene County

President
--Democrat Joe Biden/Kamala Harris—7,675.
--Republican Donald Trump/Mike Pence—12,722.

19th Congressional District
--Democrat Antonio Delgado—8,526.
--Republican Kyle Van De Water—11,047.
102nd Assembly District
--Democrat Betsy Kraat—6,384.
--Republican Chris Tague—13,697.

Ulster

President
--Democrat Joe Biden/Kamala Harris—42,606.
--Republican Donald Trump/Mike Pence—33,580.

19th Congressional District
--Democrat Antonio Delgado—44,323.
--Republican Kyle Van De Water—29,506.

51st Senate District
--Democrat Jim Barber—4,148.
--Republican Peter Oberacker—3,001.

102nd Assembly District
--Democrat Betsy Kraat—3,699.
--Republican Chris Tague—4,379.

Delaware County

President
--Democrat Joe Biden/Kamala Harris—6,420.
--Republican Donald 11,952.

19th Congressional District
--Democrat Antonio Delgado—7,192.
--Republican Kyle Van De Water—10,254.

51st Senate District
--Democrat Jim Barber—4,160.
--Republican Peter Oberacker—6,485.

102nd Assembly District
--Democrat Betsy Kraat—1,662.
--Republican Chris Tague—3,065.