SULLIVAN COUNTY — As the Republican Primary races are seeing their vote tallies being finalized, early results show a number of victors that rose to claim the support of the party for the General Election in Nov.

According to the early results from the Sullivan County Board of Elections, the District Attorney (DA) race was won by Acting DA Brian Conaty, who received the Republican Party nomination over Deputy County Attorney Thomas Cawley. With a total of 2,120 votes cast, Conaty earned 1,555 (73.35 percent), while Cawley garnered 561 (26.46 percent). Conaty also has earned the nominations from the Democratic Committee and the Conservative Party.

In a statement put out by Conaty the night early results were released he noted how he felt proud and honored to receive the backing of the Republican party.

“The voters recognized my willingness to challenge those who cannot or will not act in the best interests of public safety. They expressed confidence in my leadership of our law enforcement community,” Conaty said. “Since day one, I have promised to represent every citizen of Sullivan County, my lifelong home, without fear or favor.”

Conaty went on to say that his resolve is steadfast and unwavering, stating that “[he] remain(s) committed to doing the right thing by the people of Sullivan County as your District Attorney. Thank you for voting. I will not let you down,” Conaty said.

Shortly after the early results were announced, Tom Cawley released a statement, saying that “while this was not the result I was hoping for, I want to thank the voters who signed my petition, listened to me at doors, shook my hand at events and made me feel welcome 100 percent of the time,” Cawley said. “This is an experience I will not forget and I am forever grateful to those who supported me and my campaign. I wish Brian Conaty well as our next District Attorney, because our success in fighting crime now lies with him.”

County Legislature

The Primary for Sullivan County Legislature for District 7 was won by incumbent Legislator Joseph Perrello, who got 141 (77.60 percent) of the 181 total votes. His opponent, John S. Lacey, received 39 votes (21.55 percent). There was one right in.

Perrello, who was cross endorsed by the Democratic Committee, noted he was appreciative of the people who came out to vote. “It was a challenge, because whenever you’re in a race, you have to play to win and that’s what I did,” he said. “I worked just like it was a General Election…and now I can continue to do what I do with the Legislature [for the remainder of the term] without distractions.”

For District 9, out of 269 total votes, Terry Blosser-Bernardo earned 192 (71.38 percent.) Her opponent, Christopher Rosa, earned 76 votes (28.25 percent), leaving Blosser-Bernardo with the Republican nomination. There was one write-in.

Highland Superintendent of Highways

Currently, the Town of Highland Highway Superintendent position remains vacant. The Primary for the Republican Party’s nomination reached an early result, showing that out of the 172 total votes, James Akt won the race with 99 votes (57.56
percent) against Orson Davis Jr., who acquired 73 votes (42.44 percent). 

State Committee

For the race regarding the Member of State Committee in the 101st Assembly District, four Republicans went head-to-head for the party nomination. With 196 votes (39.20 percent) won Richard Coombe, who was followed by opponents Hope Costa (180 votes, 36.00 percent), Eric Chaboty (69 votes, 13.80 percent), and Tammi Chaboty (55 votes, 11.00 percent). There were 500 votes cast in total.

County Committee

In the Town of Fallsburg’s Election District 5, two candidates are being elected to the Republican County Committee. Out of the four candidates who ran, Anthony Perrello won the party’s nomination with 24 votes (37.50 percent), along with Lori Lindridge, who got 16 votes (25.00 percent). Robert E. Kirby Jr. earned 15 votes (23.44) and Richard R. Gressner Sr. earned 9 votes (14.06 percent).

In Fallsburg’s Election for District 1, two candidates are being elected to the Republican County Committee. Out of the four candidates, the winners were Ari Grunhut with 20 votes (42.55 percent) and Abraham Berkovic with 15 votes (31.91 percent). Their opponents John Parisi and Jennifer Parisi both earned 6 votes (12.77 percent). 

In the Town of Neversink Election District 3, two candidates are being elected to the Sullivan County Republican Committee. Of The four candidates who ran, Gene Froelich (27 votes, 56.25 percent) and Andrew McCabe (20 votes, 41.67 percent) took the nominations, beating out Raymond J. Stanishia Jr. (1 vote, 2.08 percent) and Raymond A. Stanishia (zero votes, 0.00 percent).

In the Town of Thompson, a four-way race for Member of the Republican County Committee. The top two vote getters will be elected. Jay S. Rubin and Lori A. Benjamin took both the nominations, with 19 votes (45.24 percent) and 13 votes (30.95 percent) respectively. The opponents Joanne Jasper and Alfred Heins, Jr. both walked away with 5 votes each (11.90 percent).