Republicans Wendy Crane and Kenneth Hilkert finished first and second in Tuesday’s five-way race for two Seneca Falls Town Council nominations, early results show. Crane led with 241 votes, followed by Hilkert with 189. Mason Hawker (169), Emil Bove Jr. (163) and Tiffany Rotz (153) trailed.
The results are unofficial, with absentee ballots still to be counted. Democratic nominees for the November election have not yet been announced.
Crane, celebrating her win on social media, called it a “significant victory” and expressed gratitude for the community’s support.
“Tonight is more than a celebration—it’s a mandate to keep moving forward,” she said. “Winning the primary shows our values resonate within our party. But come November, we’re running to represent everybody in Seneca Falls—not just one side of the aisle.”
Hilkert also thanked voters, stating, “I appreciate all the support. I look forward to continuing this path to represent the Town of Seneca Falls in the general election this November.”
In Ontario County, challenger Jason MacBride defeated two-term District Attorney James Ritts by 115 votes, 2,179 to 2,064, in the Republican primary. MacBride captured 51.3 percent of the vote to Ritts’ 48.6 percent.
Ritts has not conceded the race. In a statement, he said, “It is too early to concede the race, as we should wait for any standard review procedures by the Board of Elections, as well as additional Absentee Ballots to be received by mail in the coming days.”
No Democratic candidate has emerged yet for the DA post.
Across the rest of the Finger Lakes, voters settled a mix of local contests:
Ontario County
- Gorham Town Board (vote for 2): Chase Brown (185) and Philip Curtis (136) secured nominations over Brian Lazarus (122).
- Farmington Highway Superintendent: Sean Murphy edged Martin Halpin, 229-222.
- Phelps races: Bill Wellman topped Douglas Smith for supervisor, while Philip Frere Jr. beat William Poormon for highway superintendent.
Cayuga County
- Springport Town Board (vote for 2): Thomas Owens (94) and Michael Selover (90) advanced.
- Springport Highway Superintendent: William Walter led Daniel Schenck, 91-68.
- Summerhill Supervisor: Kyle Ripley defeated Lester Coit, 56-43.
- Summerhill Highway Superintendent: Richard Tillotson edged David Dunham, 57-49.
Wayne County
- Ontario Town Board (vote for 2): Timothy Strickland (140) and Debra Hibbard (131) topped Jo “Sparky” Donnelly (111).
- Savannah Highway Superintendent: Brandon Baker nipped Jeff Liddle, 55-54.
- Sodus Point Village Trustee (2-year term): Phillip Leone beat Matthew Corino, 67-49.
All results are unofficial until certified by local boards of elections. Absentee ballots postmarked by Election Day will be counted in the coming days.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].