Ferris ahead by 21 votes in close Legislature race

The Jefferson County Legislature will welcome a new face after Tuesday's elections — but as of press time it was still uncertain who it will be.

Republican Robert D. Ferris was leading over Democrat Paul A. Simmons by 21 votes in the race for District 11, which covers the towns of Rutland and Watertown.

While Mr. Simmons said he was waiting for absentee ballots to come in Tuesday night, Mr. Ferris was ready to declare a close victory, 907 to 886, over his friend and fellow small businessman.

"It only takes one to win," he said. "Paul and I are friends, and what better way to go? Getting a win by 21 votes — it's a good victory."

Mr. Ferris and Mr. Simmons ran to replace Legislator Robert A. Boice, a Republican who decided not to run for re-election.

The three other contested races will return familiar faces to the Legislature, with incumbents James D. St. Croix, Michael W. Behling and Gino M. Zando carrying decisive leads in unofficial vote tallies released Tuesday night.

Those results showed Mr. Zando, a Republican, beating Democratic challenger Gary P. Trombley 581 to 354, with all but absentee ballots counted in the race for District 6. The district includes the town of Wilna and part of LeRay.

Both candidates said they were pleased with the tone of the race. Mr. Trombley said he had called his opponent earlier in the evening to congratulate him.

"I just wish Mr. Zando luck," he said.

Mr. Zando said he was looking forward to getting back to work for his constituents, especially on the issue of economic development in the Carthage area.

In the race for District 15, which covers the northwest portion of the city of Watertown, Democrat James D. St. Croix edged out Republican challenger Anthony J. Doldo 524 to 445 in the early vote totals. Mr. Doldo did not respond to phone calls. Mr. St. Croix celebrated a victory, albeit a close one for the long-serving incumbent.

"I didn't know what I expected," Mr. St. Croix said. "It's been so long since we've had a race here. "I think Anthony did a good job. I'm glad I won."

The incumbent's margin of victory was much wider in the race for District 10, which covers the towns of Adams, Lorraine, Rodman and Worth. Republican Michael W. Behling trounced his opponent, Democrat Pat A. Storino, 1,232 to 618. Neither candidate responded to phone calls seeking comment.

All other Legislature candidates ran unopposed. In District 2, which includes the towns of Lyme and Brownville, Robert J. Thomas had 1,646 votes, with 86 percent of votes counted by press time. In the other districts, the unofficial tallies, with all but absentee votes counted, were as follows:

■ District 1: Michael J. Docteur, 1,874 votes.

■ District 3: Philip N. Reed Sr. 1,771 votes.

■ District 4: Allen T. Drake, 1,062 votes.

■ District 5: Kenneth D. Blankenbush, 342 votes.

■ District 7: Kent D. Burto, 776 votes.

■ District 8: James A. Nabywaniec, 67 votes.

■ District 9: Barry Ormsby 2,035 votes.

■ District 12: Carolyn D. Fitzpatrick, 1,055 votes.

■ District 13: Scott A. Gray, 888 votes.

■ District 14: Jennie M. Adsit 1,020 votes.