CHENANGO – Given his 52 percent lead in a Sinna Research Institute poll survey released earlier this week, Republican candidate Fred Akshar’s win over Democratic challenger Barbara Fiala came as little shock for many voters in the state’s 52nd Senate District.

“I’m humbled by the overwhelming amount of support from every part of the district and from both sides of the aisle,” Akshar said in a statement on Tuesday. “I’d like to thank my family for their love and support throughout this campaign, the hundreds of volunteers who lent their time and energy to help make sure our message reached the voters, our great Sheriff, Dave Harder for his friendship and guidance and my colleagues in law enforcement. Finally, I’d like to thank the voters for instilling their trust in me. I pledge to fight for their concerns and for their fair treatment in Albany and to always be an open, accessible and passionate representative for them.”

In spite of Fiala’s endorsement from NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo, support for Akshar in Chenango County was unmistakable. He took 83 percent of the vote in the county, trumping Fiala 5,583 votes to 1,133.

In a separate race for Chenango County District Attorney, incumbent Republican candidate Joseph McBride held off Democrat Zachary Wentworth, receiving 6,527 votes to Wentworth’s 2,251.