Democrat Louis Falco will be stepping into the boots of retired Rockland sheriff James Kralik after winning the position by a close margin.
Falco beat rivals Tim O’Neill, a Conservative and Indepenent, and Matt Brennan, a Republican, securing just over 50 percent of the vote. Falco roped in 28,477 votes, O'Neill held down 20,166 and Brenann managed 7,319.
There were 23 write-in candidates.
"In the end, everything turned out well," Falco said Tuesday night after learning of his victory. "I'm proud to be the sheriff that the people selected."
"I can't wait to get started protecting the county," he added. "I think the voters showed that they were interested in someone who has experience in law enforcement."
Falco has been in the Rockland County Sheriff's Department for 33 years.
His family was with him during his victory, and expressed their support. "It's amazing to see him finally accomplish [this]," said his daughter, 24-year-old Lyndsay Falco.
10:53 p.m.
Over 99 percent of votes are tallied, and Falco leads with 27,153 votes. O'Neill trails with 19,774, and Brennan is in third with 7,158.
10:45 p.m.
76 percent of precincts are reporting back, and Democrat Louis Falco is holding onto his lead.
Falco boasts 18,860 votes, O'Neill holds 14,700 and Brennan has 5,462.
10:29 p.m.
Democrat Louis Falco has pulled ahead, with about 70 percent of votes talled.
Falco holds 47 percent of the vote with 14,976 in is favor. O'Neill, who had an early lead, is trailing with 12,328 votes. Matt Brennan currently has 4,524 votes.
9:49 p.m.
The Rockland County board of elections has begun to tally the results for the , and Tim O'Neill, the Conservative and Independent candidate, has the lead.
Five of 262 districts—or about two percent of voters—have been unofficially tallied. O'Neill has 458 votes, Falco, a Democrat, is trailing with 391 and Brennan, a Republican, holds 212.
