Although voters in Onondaga County chose to keep incumbent Democrat Congressman Dan Maffei in his 25th district US congressional seat, results from the other three counties in the 25th district have turned the race in Beurkle’s favor. At midday Wednesday, Maffei had a lead over Republican opponent Ann Marie Buerkle 89,744 to 84,165 based on unofficial results in Cayuga, Monroe and Onondaga counties. But by late Wednesday, results from Wayne County put Beurkle ahead, 99,594 to 98,935.
“Given how close this election is we think every vote needs to be counted,” said Maffei’s campaign manager Dan McNally Wednesday night. “We’re confident that absentee and military ballots will make up the difference.” Beurkle did not address the public at the Republican rally on Election night, but did talk with her supporters in private. Her campaign did not respond to our request for comment Wednesday. The 25th district includes all of Onondaga and Wayne counties and parts of Cayuga and Monroe counties. Absentee ballots will determine the final outcome in the race; election boards have until Nov. 24 to count absentee ballots that were postmarked by Nov. 1.