It has been a hard-fought race in Livingston County. The September primary ended in a tie between the two candidates, Steve Sessler and Eric Schiener. Next came a court challenge over absentee ballots. A judge Wednesday upheld the tie vote, sending it to Thursday night’s vote by the Livingston County Republican Commitee.

Just before the vote, there was a quiet show of support for Sessler outside the government center in Geneseo. Once inside, the committee took roll call, and the voting began.

The result was overwhelming as Schiener, the former First DA, walked away the winner, with 88 percent of the vote.

“The last three weeks have been unbelievably difficult, but you know what? We held our head high, we rode every wave, and we’re here tonight, and feeling pretty good,” Schiener said.

“We’re going to go forward, but you have to understand: we have a heck of a machine in place. The supporters I have brought us to a dead-even tie with the Republican candidate and that was only through their hard work and their dedication and support,” Sessler said.

Sessler is a former Livonia town judge. He will appear on the Conservative Party line in November.

Schiener said Thursday night he was hoping Sessler would quit the race, but now, there is a three-way race come November. The Democratic candidate is Greg McCaffrey.