MADISON COUNTY — Unofficial preliminary results from the Madison County Board of Elections point to write-in candidate Rhonda Youngs as the apparent winner in the race for Madison County Judge.

On Wednesday, Nov. 9, the Madison County Board of Elections reported 5,855 votes (25.45 percent) for Bradley J. Moses — the only candidate whose name appeared on the ballot for the judgeship — and 17,155 (74.55 percent) write-ins votes. The board of elections must read each write-in to see whose name is on the ballot.

Moses ran unopposed for the position until faced with allegations of an illegal drug overdose in late July.

He offered his resignation from his position as Madison County assistant district attorney shortly after the incident but continued his campaign.

In the wake of the allegation against Moses, the Madison County Republican and Conservative Parties rescinded their endorsements of his campaign and announced their support for a write-in effort to elect Youngs, who is a local attorney and associate judge in the Village of Cazenovia. In September, the Madison County Democratic Committee voted to support Youngs’ write-in candidacy as well.

Youngs was too late to add her name to the ballot, but she actively campaigned for the judgeship. To win, her name must have been written on more ballots than votes cast for Moses.

The judgeship was up for election following the elevation of former Madison County Judge Patrick J. O’Sullivan to the New York State Supreme Court. Madison County Judges preside over cases in county court (criminal matters), family court, and surrogate’s court.

The board of elections also reported 17,404 votes (97.86 percent) for Cindy Edick (REP) and 381 write-in votes (2.14 percent) in the uncontested race for Madison County Treasurer.

The Madison County Board of Elections will post its official 2022 election results on its website at madisoncounty.ny.gov/1547/Board-of-Elections.