ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) — Primary Day means a win for some candidates in Ithaca. 

The Tompkins County Board of Election’s unofficial tally in the city’s Ward 1 shows a victory for Jorge DeFendini, who previously served on the Common Council. In Ward 3, Pat Sewell has a commanding lead. GP Zurenda leads the three Democrats vying for a seat in the Ward 5 but is only six votes ahead of Hannah Shvets. 

There were two competitive Democratic primary races for county legislature. Iris Packman, Democratic candidate District 3, won the primary over Ithaca City Alderperson Pierre Saint Perez. Irene Weiser has nearly 50 percent of the vote in District 13.

In Danby, Zachary Larkins and James Tyler Stein won a Democratic primary to serve on the town council. Christine Seamon and Michael Corbett were the top vote-getters in a 3-way Republican race for Newfield’s town council.

Voters in Tioga County are sticking with a recently-appointed legislator. Unofficial results show Andrew Aronstam has won the primary race to represent the 5th Legislative District. Aronstam received about 65 percent of the vote. Former Legislator Dennis Mullen was also on the on the ballot, though he resigned earlier this year. 

A three-man race for Owego Town Supervisor has a decisive winner.  Voters in the Republican Primary overwhelmingly selected Gary Hellmers. Hellmers received over half of all votes. Other candidates in the race were Joseph Dapolito and John Loftus.

Owego’s Highway Department will see a change in leadership.  Incumbent Highway Superintendent Michael Roberts lost the Republican Primary election to Mark Clark. Just over 100 votes separated the two; Clark received roughly 56 percent of the vote.

In the town of Berkshire, a race is tight. William Spoonhower narrowly defeated George Hoffmier, Jr. in the race for Highway Superintendent. Unofficial results show Spoonhower received about 52 percent of the vote. In Berkshire’s other Republican Primary race, Michael Simmons beat Richard Mosher for Town Supervisor. 

All results will be certified by the Board of Elections in Tompkins County and Tioga County. Cortland County did not have primary elections this year.

WHCU’s Matt Aceto contributed to this report.