Erie County Republican Chairman Nicholas A. Langworthy isn't claiming victory yet, but he said early Wednesday morning he's "feeling good" about the prospects of Republican Mark J. Grisanti joining the ranks of the New York State Senate.
"I'm really optimistic about this race," he said.
Langworthy said Grisanti is leading Democratic incumbent Antoine M. Thompson as of early this morning by 683 votes, with nine districts yet to report.
He credited the coat tails of GOP gubernatorial candidate Carl P. Paladino for boosting the Grisanti bid.
"It was definitely a boost," he said. "If we didn't have that turnout coming from the top of the ticket, I just don't think we would have the same effect."
--Robert J. McCarthy
