Former Marcellus Mayor Michael E. Plochocki (Rep.) will be the next county legislator for the 6th district, having defeated Toby Shelly (Dem.) by nearly 400 votes in Tuesday’s election.

Out of a total 6,067 ballots cast, Plochocki had 3,228 votes, or 53 percent, to Shelley’s 2,837 votes, or 46 percent.

Plochocki, in fact, garnered the largest vote total by any candidate of either party in a competitive legislature race. Only 1st district candidate Brian May, who ran unopposed, had more votes, with 3,462.

Plochocki said the high vote total “shows what a big race it was out there,” and that both parties clearly worked hard to get out the votes.

“I feel very good, very happy, and I’m greatly honored by the voters of this district and will work hard for them,” Plochocki said after his victory.

Plochocki’s opponent, Toby Shelley said, “We never planned to win because Democrats have never won the 6th district. But we did work hard, and the hard work showed in the numbers.”

Plochocki said he will spend the next two years working toward his campaign goals: lower taxes, pulling back the state on unfunded mandates, consolidation of services and “sane” local government restructuring and ensuring the protection of the Skaneateles and Otisco Lake watersheds.

His most immediate goal once he takes his seat in the county legislature is to seek a restructuring of the body’s 17-member seating structure, Plochocki said. Currently, members of one political party sit on the left side of the room and members of the other party sit on the right side. “That sends the wrong message that it is a partisan place,” Plochocki said. He said he will suggest that the body bring the seats back together in the room “for symbolic reasons if nothing else.”