District 19 includes Broome, Chenango, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Greene, Sullivan, Tioga, Tompkins counties and parts of Otsego, Rensselaer, and Ulster counties.
In a statement on Wednesday, Nov. 6, Molinaro said: “As it stands, we trail by 3,500 votes, and there are over 12,000 absentee and affidavit ballots that have yet to be tallied.
"These ballots will decide the race, and we have to be sure every legal vote is counted," he added.
The Associated Press and The New York Times called the race in Riley's favor early Thursday.
Molinaro, the former Dutchess County Executive, added, "Whatever the result ends up being, I will accept it, and I am beyond grateful to my family, friends, and supporters."
Riley claimed victory early Thursday after the Assoicated Press and others called the race.
His campaign declined to comment on Molinaro's statement.
This continues to be a developing story. Check back to Daily Voice for updates.
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