Chris Tague, Aidan O’Connor and Wes Laraway
Though his margin of victory shrunk from 288 to 161 after the counting of absentee ballots, Schoharie Republican leader Christopher Tague officially defeated Greene County legislator Aidan O’Connor Jr. in the April 24 special election to fill the 102nd District State Assembly seat formerly held by Pete Lopez, who resigned to become regional director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
“Well folks, it’s been a long few weeks while we ensured every single vote was counted, and I would like to say from the bottom of my heart, thank you,” said Tague, in a statement. “With all the votes accounted for I have, with your support and faith, come out ahead.Thank you for your vote and belief in me; it has been the most difficult and most humbling experience of my life…As I’ve said since the first day of my campaign, I will be leaving my 25-year career at Cobleskill Stone to be your full-time assemblyman.”
O’Connor congratulated Tague, but, on the heels of his narrow defeat, promised to run again in the November general election for the seat. “I wish Chris Tague the best for fulfilling the remainder of Pete Lopez’s term. Our district and communities need as much support as possible right now and I wish him well,” said O’Connor, in a statement. “This was only the beginning. We are even more energized and motivated for the election in November!”