Calarco, Giannott Locked in Dead Heat in 7th LD

The race for the Suffolk County Legislature in the 7th District is too close to call, with Democrat Rob Calarco leading Republican John Giannott by only 103 votes (6,051-5,948), according to the Suffolk County Board of Elections.

When all districts reporting, Calarco emerged over Giannott with 50.38 percent of the vote, but the results are not yet official as absentee ballots are yet to be counted.

Calarco said he is optimistic that he will be victorious but is not yet declaring a win.

"I'm cautiously feeling that it looks like I won this race and we will wait for the absentees to show," Calarco told Patch after the unofficial results came in.

Giannott says that he is not at all out of race and that it will likely come down to less than 10 votes.

"We do know there are 499 absentee ballots in the building [Suffolk Board of Elections], more are coming in today and more tomorrow," Giannott said.

Giannott said that he ran a very strong absentee program, but feels that the race will remain close.

"We think we have the upper hand in the absentee ballot program. That being said once that shakes up I think we will be in a dead heat and we will be in a re-count situation," Giannott said.

Both men are seeking to replace Legis. Jack Eddington, who did not run for re-election. The 7th Legislative District includes Patchogue, Medford, Holtsville and Blue Point.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.