Unofficial election results suggest that former Auburn mayor and city councilor Timothy Lattimore will have his chance to try his hand at county politics.

The Cayuga County Board of Elections reported Lattimore, who ran on Republican, Conservative and Independence party lines, beat Democratic candidate James E. Hutchinson in the race for District 13 of the Legislature by 59 votes, 294-235.

But Hutchinson said he will not concede the race until absentee votes are counted and the process checked for irregularities.

“We'll wait until tomorrow,” Hutchinson said. “See what happens.”

Lattimore said he would not presumptively congratulate himself, but that even with absentee ballots still out, enough should be cast in his favor to secure a win. As of Tuesday night, poll results showed him with 55.58 percent of the vote.

“Nothing's official 'till it's official,” said Lattimore. “But I feel very good tonight.”

The county seat representing the heart of Auburn was previously held by Democratic Legislator Daniel Schuster, who did not seek re-election. Lattimore said it was his door-to-door campaign that convinced voters in a Democratic-leaning district that their Republican candidate was the right choice.

“Being two-to-one against me, it is a sign that my message is getting out,” Lattimore said.

Lattimore served as mayor of Auburn from 2003 to 2007. He previously served a term as city councilor. An old hand in Auburn politics, Lattimore has indicated he will try to bring successful city practices to the County Office Building, such as a public to be heard time slot at county Legislative meetings.

Lattimore has said he will focus on improving the county's collaboration with the city of Auburn as well as with neighboring counties, which he believes is the most effective way for the county to attract business.

In a break from the view held by many Republicans on the Legislature, Lattimore is in support of negotiating with the Cayuga Indian Nation. When he was mayor, he suggested entertaining the idea of building a casino as a bargaining chip with the tribe.

The county's relationship with the tribe is among the issues Lattimore and Hutchinson have differing opinions on.

Hutchinson is opposed to negotiating with the tribe and said any serious stab at bringing a casino to the area would be “pure fantasy.”

Hutchinson served one term as city councilor, from 1992 to 1995, and has since remained involved in the community by serving on local business, development and veterans boards.

During his campaign, he called for reform of the Legislature's committee system, which he said encourages micro-managing and prevents the governing body from operating at full efficiency. The position of county manager is doomed until the system is reworked, he argues.

“It's unfortunate the two of us were running in the same district,” Lattimore said. “I think the two of us would serve the county and the residents of Auburn well.”

Staff writer Sarah Gantz can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or sarah.gantz@lee.net