BUFFALO, N.Y. — Congressman Chris Jacobs (R) has declared victory for the U.S. Congressional 27th District seat. However, there are still thousands of absentee ballots that won't be counted for weeks.
Jacobs is running against Democrat Nate McMurray as well as Duane Whitmer (L) for the U.S. Congressional 27th District seat.
During a press event at Nate McMurray's campaign headquarters at the UAW Local 686 in Lockport, McMurray said he would not concede Tuesday night.
2 On Your Side's Leanne Stuck asked McMurray his response to Jacobs declaring victory.
"Well, he's done that before, he did that before, and we had to count the votes before, and he didn't want us to count the votes last time," he said. "So I urge you in the press that we remember that these are people who want these votes counted."
Jacobs won the special election and Republican primary back in June for the U.S. Congressional 27th District. Jacobs won the election over McMurray.
The NY-27 seat was vacated when former congressman, and now convicted felon, Chris Collins pleaded guilty to insider trading last year. Former Grand Island Town Supervisor Nate McMurray and Congressman Chris Jacobs are both running to fill the former congressman's fourth term.
McMurray almost beat Collins for the seat back in 2018.
The U.S. Congressional 27th District includes all of Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, and Livingston counties and parts of Erie, Monroe, Niagara, and Ontario counties.
Jacobs released the following statement Tuesday night:
“As we did in the Special Election, we have amassed an insurmountable lead in the election tonight, and we are confident victory can be declared. I want to express my gratitude to voters of NY27 for putting their trust in me - it has been the honor of my life to represent the people of Western New York these past few months. I am deeply eager to filling a full-term fighting for this region to rebuild our economy, create good-paying job opportunities, support our farmers, and improve our infrastructure."
