Democrat Al Stirpe is once again a New York State Assemblyman after defeating Republican Don Miller for a seat that was once Stirpe's.
Stirpe served two terms representing the outer edges of Onondaga County before losing to a conservative Miller in 2010.
But this time, Stirpe rode to a 10 point victory over Miller in unofficial results for the newly drawn 127th Assembly district. It was one of the most expensive Assembly races in the state as money came in from other state politicians.
Stirpe gave most of the credit for his victory to another Onondaga County assemblyman, Democrat Bill Magnarelli, and to organized labor unions.
"They wanted to make sure they did everything they could to get all of their membership, all of their membership’s families, and all their friends, everybody, to come out and vote," he said of his labor support. "And they did that."
Keeping a positive campaign in a district that was inundated with negative ads in the 24th Congressional District race between Dan Maffei and Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle was also a help, Stirpe said.