SYRACUSE, NY (WRVO) - In a very tight race between incumbent Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-New Hartford) and her Democratic opponent Anthony Brindisi, Brindisi has the lead by 1,400 votes. But there could be more than 10,000 absentee ballots in the 22nd Congressional District.
Brindisi said he was relieved after news organizations started calling the election for him and he said he feels comfortable going forward.
“We want every vote to be counted, and they’ll be counted," Brindisi said. "But we’re pretty confident they’re going to break the same way current vote totals go.”
Republicans had an enrollment advantage in the district, but Brindisi said he was able to pull ahead with a message of lifting people up, rather than dividing them.
“I think people in this district are looking for someone who is not afraid to reach across the aisle and try and bring Democrats and Republicans together," Brindisi said. "I think not taking any corporate PAC money has helped, showing that we can go to Washington representing the interest of the people in this region, not worrying about the big special interest groups that are funding campaigns out there.”
Tenney encouraged her supporters to be hopeful as absentee ballots are counted.
“It’s a sad day that we’re not up in this race right now, it’s a bummer," Tenney said. "I’m not going to concede. There’s going to be a recanvass.”
She said her team will participate in the recanvass process and review absentee ballots.
“We’re very, very close," Tenney said. "We knew it was going to be a close race against impossible odds. But hang in there, be hopeful, be positive, don’t walk out with your heads down. This is just another day, another battle. The war is still on.”
Tenney has embraced President Donald Trump and his family throughout her campaign. She said she is worried a Democratic controlled House of Representatives will create chaos and roll back the progress made on the economy.
The 22nd Congressional District stretches across eight counties and includes the cities of Utica and Binghamton.