UPDATED: With Absentees Counted, Calarco Claims Victory in 7th LD Race

Rob Calarco will be the next Suffolk County legislator in the 7th District.

With more than 500 absentee ballots now counted, the Democrat from Patchogue has edged out Republican John Giannott.

"I look forward to really working now and tackling the big issues in Suffolk County," Calarco said Friday. "We all know we have a tough budget ahead of us and we have to continue to do the things that people expect the county to do."

Giannott conceded on his Facebook page Thursday evening.

"Volunteers, friends, family and over 6000 voters, the counting is done and unfortunately we have come up just short!," wrote Giannott, a political newcomer who owns two businesses in Bellport. 

The Suffolk County Board of Elections is expected to release the final numbers on Friday, but Calarco by 103 votes on Election Night. Calarco told Patch that while Board of Elections did not report the full numbers, they told him he had approximately a 165 vote lead.

"I wish my opponent luck, he has a tough job ahead of him and a split community to work with," Giannott said on Facebook.

Calarco, 32, will his current boss, Legis. Jack Eddington, when he is sworn into office in January.

Michael Sorrentino contributed to this report.