NORWICH – District Attorney Joseph McBride came out the big winner in Thursday’s Republican primary election, earning nearly 71 percent of the total ballots cast in Chenango County.

The Chenango County Board of Elections reports that McBride garnered a total 1,862 votes while his first challenger in 16 years, Zachary Wentworth, gained 757.

Although the Town of McDonough had yet to report their voter turnout Friday morning, those numbers will not change the outcome of the election, according to the Board of Elections.

“We’re very elated for the results,” McBride commented on Friday. “My team did a great job working for the vote and we saw a positive response ... I like to think that I am the people’s choice and I look forward to a reaffirmation to that in November. It’s been a long four and half months, but I’m thankful for the help of many people in Chenango County, and most importantly my wife who has helped get the word out to the people about my campaign.”

Despite losing in the primary, Wentworth’s name will still appear on the general election ballot in November on the Democratic line. The three-year defense attorney for the county received unanimous endorsement by members of the Chenango County Democratic Committee in June.

Congratulating McBride for his win, Wentworth said he will continue to “encourage people who want to help with the campaign.”