Incumbent Marianne Buttenschon is ahead in the race for the 119th Assembly District seat, leading opponent John Zielinski by more than 3,000 votes.
With 100% of precincts reported, Buttenschon has 20,970 votes to Zielinski’s 17,904. Third party candidate Michael Gentile had 201 votes.
Buttenschon says she is confident with her lead so far.
"We'll continue to look at the numbers but I feel very confident," Buttenschon said. "I have supporters and look forward to working with everyone."
Zielinski says he is relying on the absentee ballots that still need to be counted.
"I think that it is still very close and it's ultimately going to be decided by the absentee ballots as we all know," Zielinski said. "There's almost 10,000 absentee ballots out there and we have to see how it goes."
While results are never official until absentee ballots are counted, this is unlike past years due to the coronavirus pandemic. With more than 24,000 absentee ballots sent out in Herkimer and Oneida counties, the race could swing either way. The district includes parts of both counties.
Absentee ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by Nov. 10, to count in New York State. Official results will be reported after those ballots are counted.