It’ll be at least another week before we know the results of the 129th assembly district primary between progressive challenger Mo Brown and long-time incumbent Bill Magnarelli. Unofficial results from the Onondaga County Board of Elections shows Brown with an 82 vote lead, making it too close to call. There are still mail-in and affidavit ballots that have to be counted. At the close of business Wednesday, just over 180 ballots arrived at headquarters. That leaves about 400 more that have not been returned. Those won’t be counted until Tuesday. If the margin is a half percent or less, that triggers an automatic hand count of all ballots cast.
In other primary races, progressive Jo Bennett defeated previous long-time legislator Bill Kinne 61 to 39 percent to seek Brown’s current 15th district seat on the county legislature. Eighth district legislator Chad Ryan survived a challenge in from Democratic Socialist Tammy Honeywell, and newcomer Charlene Tarver emerged with a win over Nyatwa Bullock in the 16th district. On the Syracuse Common Council, appointed at-large councilor and former president Helen Husdon cruised to victory in a three-way race.
