State and federal races in the county showed strong early unofficial results for Democrats, that later turned to favor Republicans as the night went on. (Photo by Tyler Murphy)

CHENANGO COUNTY – Republicans led state and federal races in Chenango County’s unofficial returns released at 10:59 p.m. Tuesday by the Chenango County Board of Elections. 

At 9:36 p.m., just a short time earlier in the night and following early voting, the initial election returns showed Democrats leading seven of the eight contested state and federal races in Chenango County.

Some votes are still being counted with 26 of 31 local precincts reporting.

Republican Bruce Blakeman led the county’s vote for governor, while the Associated Press projected Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul to win reelection statewide.

Other Republicans leading in Chenango County were Joseph Hernandez for comptroller; Saritha Komatireddy for attorney general; Peter Oberacker for Congress; Christopher Tague and NY Sen. Joseph Griffo for state senate; and Mark Benjamin for Assembly. Republican Assemblyman Joe Angelino also led Democrat Vicki Davis in the county.

In Preston, Republican Steven Jon Palmatier was the apparent winner of the supervisor race over Democrat Eileen Gyles Andrews, with the town’s precinct reported.

In Otselic, Republicans Kevin A. Whritenour and Sarah Grisolini were the apparent winners of the town board races.

Whritenour led Democrat Linda Bailey for the two-year vacancy, while Grisolini led Democrat Cal Hite for the one-year vacancy.

In Afton, Republican John Lawrence led Jason H. Wicks, Afton First, with the votes still being counted.

Read tomorrow’s Evening Sun for more details and results.