George Borrello is pictured Tuesday after winning a state Senate seat. P-J photo by Dennis Phillips

A Republican will once again be representing the 57th District in the New York State Senate.

On Tuesday, Republican George Borrello, Chautauqua County executive, defeated Austin Morgan, who was endorsed by the Democratic and Working Families parties, in the special election for the 57th State Senate District. At press time, Borrello had a 68% to 27% lead over Morgan with 126 of the 215 election district reporting. In Chautauqua County, Borrello received 73% of the vote while Morgan received 27%

Borrello was also endorsed by the Conservative, Independence and Libertarian parties.

Borrello, who was joined by fellow county Republicans at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Jamestown, said he will carry on the 15-year legacy of Cathy Young, former Republican 57th District representative, in the state Senate. Young announced in February that she was resigning from the state Senate for a position leading the Center of Excellence for Food and Agriculture at Cornell AgriTech.

“We will work hard to push back against the radical liberal agenda in Albany,” Borrello said. “We will make change there. I promise you that.”

Borrello said, as he begins this new chapter, he does so with a deep perspective on the strengths of the region and the challenges to its future.

“As I criss-crossed the district over the last several months, I had the privilege of meeting thousands of our residents, from a diversity of backgrounds and life experiences,” he said. “Nearly all shared a deep concern for the future of Western New York and the Southern Tier. From high taxes and a hostile business climate, to infringement of our rights and freedoms, which are all part of the radical New York City-based political agenda now dominating in Albany, the people of this region believe that our state is heading down the wrong path. Fighting against these damaging policies and proposing common-sense, forward-looking solutions will be my overriding focus in the state Senate.”

Borrello said he is grateful for the opportunity to serve the 57th District.

“In the weeks ahead, I will be working with our county government officials to facilitate a smooth transition and ensure that ongoing projects and efforts are supported and remain on track,” he said. “I look forward to working hard in Albany and here at home for all the constituents across the four counties of the 57th District. This is an exciting new chapter for our region and my thanks go out to everyone whose encouragement, support and conviction made this victory possible.”

Morgan said he didn’t get the win he was hoping for, but he was proud of the race his campaign ran.

“Despite being heavily outspent by outside money, we gave thousands of voters the chance to choose hope rather than hate, and to vote for someone rather than against,” he said in a news release. “I sincerely wish George well in the Senate, and I hope for the people’s sake he is successful. Our farmers, our families, and our future depend on it. I believe in this district, I believe in it’s people, and win or lose we will continue to build a brighter future-one that works for all of us, not just the wealthy and powerful.”