Of the half-dozen contested Cayuga County Legislature races, only one seat was still up for grabs after the votes were tallied Tuesday night.

Only 17 votes separate sitting Legislature Chairman George Fearon, R-Springport, and his Democratic challenger, Lon Fricano, in District 7.

The unofficial count is 659-642 in favor of Fearon with about 80 absentee ballots outstanding.

Fearon said he expected a close finish.

“I'm not surprised at all. My opponent is well-known in the community. He's intelligent and articulate,” he said.

The chairman temporarily resigned from his seat in order to collect retirement benefits from his job in the Union Springs Central School District and forced the election. The incumbent said he was prepared for any outcome.

“The point is - win or lose - to accept the will of the people,” Fearon said.

Even without the satisfaction of a win, Fricano said he was proud of the progress his multi-party committee made with the campaign.

“I'm a person who doesn't belong to a political party who's running against a staunch Republican in a Republican district,” said Fricano, who was also endorsed by the Conservative and Independence parties. “I consider that a victory. To be this close ought to send the message that people aren't happy with what's going on.”

Fricano, the director of operations for Auburn City Ambulance making his first run for public office, said he would sweat out the next week or so while the final votes are counted.

“I'm quite pleased with where we're at,” Fricano said. “I think the message to the establishment is very clear when a person with no political background can get a showing like this.

“I hope they hear it, win, lose or draw,” he said.

Staff writer Shane Liebler can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or shane.liebler@lee.net