BUFFALO, N.Y. — State Assemblyman Sean Ryan declared victory in the State Senate race for the 60th District, though the race remained too close to call.
As of 11 p.m., only 38 percent of the 261 districts have been reported.
Ryan, a Democrat, is running against Republican Joshua Mertzlufft for a seat that was vacated by Chris Jacobs, who won a special election for New York's Congressional 27th District seat back in June.
Sean Ryan said in a statement Wednesday, “There are many absentee ballots left to count, but it's clear that after all the votes are counted, our campaign will be victorious. I offer my thanks to all our supporters and I look forward to serving the people of Western New York in the State Senate.”
Ryan ran for the State Senate after representing the 149th District in the Assembly, which runs from North Buffalo to the Southtowns, and as far south as Irving. He has served in the Assembly since 2011.
Mertzlufft's background includes working as an engineer and an attorney.
The district includes part of Buffalo, Kenmore, the Tonawandas, Grand Island, Orchard Park, Hamburg, and extends southwest, along I-90 and Route 5, down to Irving.