On Wednesday, Leslie Danks Burke, who was running for New York State Senate in the 58th District conceded. She challenged Republican Tom O’Mara.
While the margin was narrowed during absentee ballot counting, not enough outstanding ballots remained to close the gap.
Read her full-statement below:
“While we must still ensure that every vote is counted and despite making significant gains on paper ballots, based on the numbers we have seen so far it is clear that we will not see the outcome we hoped for. And out of respect for the voters and the principles on which our democratic republic is founded, we accept this outcome for the next two years.
“But we do so knowing that the coming months will be among the most difficult our region has ever faced. Politics aside, we will need serious leadership, working full-time, and unbeholden to the special interests that dominate the power structure in Albany and Washington. So while I acknowledge that in this time of crisis more voters chose to stay the political course for our region, there are 55,000 voters who asked for more for our region than we have seen in previous years, and I wish Mr. O’Mara godspeed on the journey of serving all the voters of this district.
“The proud history of our Democratic party is the coalition of city residents, farmers, progressive populists, and union members put together by FDR to unite those left to struggle during the Great Depression, and I want to congratulate my fellow “rust belt” Democrat upstate Senate candidates — Senators-elect Samra Brouk, Sean Ryan, Jeremy Cooney, and hopefully Michelle Hinchey and John Mannion– who are now taking seats to bring Roosevelt’s principles of freedom from want and freedom from fear into the upstate-downstate conversation.
“I thank my campaign team that put together a truly unprecedented and outstanding campaign, my friends and, most especially, my dear husband and children who have been with me down this long path, and all my supporters who put their time and herculean efforts into helping our region grow and thrive again.
“When the final votes are counted, of course, this election will be done, but their work is only a precursor to what will come, and I know they are all committed to making the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes the very best it can be. Today’s results are a disappointment, yet we know that this is a long game, and I am honored and look forward to all that we will achieve, together, in the coming months and years.
“As every ball player knows — Good game, good game! And I’ll see you on the field next time.”
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