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BATAVIA — In a couple of months, Joseph Graff will be doing something he says he's been thinking about his whole life — serving as sheriff of Genesee County.

When William Sheron Jr. retires effective at the end of the year, Graff, who ran unopposed this November, will leave his job as chief deputy of the county Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division to lead the office.

"Certainly as I progressed in my career the decision became a reality. I felt that running for sheriff was an opportunity to take the next step to support law enforcement's efforts to provide a safe community and support the members of the Sheriff's Office," he said. "I felt that running for sheriff was an opportunity to take the next step to support law enforcement's efforts to provide a safe community and support the members of the Sheriff's Office. Being involved as a part of the Sheriff's Office administration and working closely with Sheriff Sheron has certainly given me a unique insight into the operations of all of the divisions of Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Sheron's knowledge accumulated after 47.5 years of service in law enforcement has been a valuable resource."

Graff began his career in law enforcement in March 1999 as a Genesee County probation officer. In February 2004, he was appointed deputy sheriff with the county Sheriff's Office. In 2015, he was promoted to investigator, and in 2017 he chief deputy – road patrol. Graff has been chief deputy – Criminal Investigation Division since 2019.

"The responsibility of the office of the sheriff is something that I don't take lightly. My experience of working for the Sheriff's Office for over 20 years ... combined with my collective involvement working in law enforcement in Genesee County for over 25 years, has provided me with a solid foundation of experience to draw from and build upon in the coming years," he said. "The relationships built during my career with other law enforcement agencies and numerous community partners will be a valuable resource."

Graff said that with the move to the new jail complete, it houses males.

"We are working on increasing staffing so that we will be able to begin housing female inmates," he said.

Current priorities are to deal with current staffing deficiencies and plan for what the future needs of the county Sheriff's Office are.

"Vacancies and the time necessary to train new employees put an extra strain on the current members, who fill the void by working extra hours," Graff said. "The addition of discovery requirements and preparing cases to present for prosecution has also added time consuming responsibilities. As law enforcement is an evolving industry, another priority is assessing and continuing efforts to ensure that the Sheriff's Office is equipped with current technology to provide the best level of public safety."

State Assembly incumbent Steve Hawley, who ran unopposed for re-election, was among those at Terry Hills, keeping an eye on the TV for presidential election updates Tuesday night.

County Legislator Gary Maha was also at Terry Hills, where he said he was watching off and on as the results in the presidential race were coming in.

"I think it's going to come down to Pennsylvania," he said, hours before it won Pennsylvania, which was announced Wednesday morning.

"Those 19 votes could go either way. You never know," he said at the time. "The western states haven't come in yet — California. She's going to carry California — probably a couple other states out that way."

Genesee County Republican Committee Chairman Scott German said Tuesday night that it was looking good for Trump, but added, "It looked good four years ago and he ended up losing. We've got to wait for more from Pennsylvania and Georgia."

"I'm more optimistic than I was when I came in here at 8:30," he added.

While Graff and fellow Republicans were at Terry Hills, Democratic gathered at GO ART! at the corner of East Main and Bank Street. County Democratic Committee Chair Michael Plitt said they were waiting for results from the swing states — Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Michigan, which would not all be reported until after 2 a.m. Wednesday.

"I want to always thank all the poll workers for doing a great job and putting in a very long day," Plitt said of the local effort. "Our friends at the Board of Elections did a great job as usual."

County Democratic Committee Vice Chair Nikki Calhoun said, "We've had people on the ground, working hard for our congressional candidate as well as our presidential candidate. We are thrilled at the enthusiasm that has come out of our county for the last coupe of months."

On Wednesday morning, Plitt said only, "Obviously we're disappointed in the results (of the presidential election)."

Democrats Rebecca Oshlag and Janus Mary Jones said at about 10 p.m. Tuesday that they were hopeful Harris and Walz would do well.

"I don't have a crystal ball, but it's encouraging," Jones said. "It hasn't gotten hopeless, there's nothing like that."

Unofficial election results were as follows:

GENESEE COUNTYFor sheriff, Joseph M. Graff, R, C, had 22,300 votes. Write-in, 91.

For treasurer, Kevin J. Andrews, R, C, had 21,939 votes. Write-in, 59.

For coroner (vote for two), Karen A. Lang had 19,962 votes and Drew D. Klotzbach 18,063. Write-in, 119.

in the presidential race, in the unofficial results in Genesee County, Democratic and Working Families candidates Kamala D. Harris and Tim Walz had 9,098.

For United States senator (vote for one), Michael D. Sapriacone, R, C, had 23,835 votes, incumbent Kirsten D. Gillibrand, D, WF, had 999 and Diane Sare, LaRouche Party, had 2,124. Write-in, 3.

For State Supreme Court, 8th Judicial District, (vote for up to four), Henry J. Nowak, R, D, C, WF, had 24,647 votes; Catherine R. Nugent-Panepinto, R, D, C, WF, had 23,347; Deborah A. Chimes, R, D, C, 22,501; Michael J. Morris, R, D, C, 22,306. Write-in, 86.

For representative in Congress, incumbent Claudia Tenney, R, C, had 18,921 votes and David Wagenhauser, D, had 7,531. Write-in, 17.

For state assemblyman, Stephen M. Hawley, R, C, had 22,866 votes. Write-in, 91.

For state senator, incumbent George M. Borrello, R, C, had 21,749. Write-in, 80.

Town Justice — Mark A. Williams, R, had 734 votes.

Highway Superintendent (unexpired term) — Brian E. Farnsworth, R, had 1,068 votes. Write-in, 12.

Town Councilperson (unexpired term) — Ronald P. Merrill, R, had 1,032 votes. Write-in, 15.

Town Clerk (unexpired term) — Jennifer M. Zambito, R, C, had 2,478 votes. Write-in, 8.

Town Justice — Lisa A. Funke, R, C, had 2,500 votes. Write-in, 1.

Town Councilperson (unexpired term) — Karen E. Ely, R

Town Justice — Robert G. Swapceinski, R, had 1,296 votes. Write-in, 1.

Town Justice — write-in had 8 votes.

Town Proposition 1: Yes, 669; No, 170.

Town Council — Martin R. Dilcher, R, had 635 votes and Ben Raccuia, Open Communications Party, 224.

Town Clerk (unexpired term) — Kristy L. Murphy, R, had 658 votes and Marilyn Weinert, Byron Forward, 222.

Town Justice — Anthony Zambito, Jr., R, had 888 votes. Write-in, 1.

Town Justice Randy T. Baker, R, had 1,150 votes. Write-in, 3.

Proposition 1: No, 16,808; Yes, 10,164.

ORLEANS COUNTYIn the presidential race, Republican and Conservative candidates Donald J. Trump and JD Vance had 12,432 votes and Democratic and Working Families candidates Kamala D. Harris and Tim Walz had 5,227. Write-in, 121.

For United States senator, Michael D. Sapriacone, R, C, 11,375, Kirsten D. Gillibrand, D, WF, 5,344, and Diane Sare, LaRouche Party, 53. Write-in, 9.

For State Supreme Court, 8th Judicial District, (vote for up to four), Henry J. Nowak, R, D, C, WF, 15,330; Catherine R. Nugent-Panepinto, R, D, C, WF, 14,547; Deborah A. Chimes, R, D, C, 14,261; Michael J. Morris, R, D, C, 14,305. Write-in, 36.

For representative in Congress (vote for one), incumbent Claudia Tenney, R, C, had 12,131 and David Wagenhauser, D, 4,327. Write-in, 5.

For state assemblyman, Stephen M. Hawley, R, C, had 14,228. Write-in, 52.

For State Senate in the 62nd District, Robert G. Ortt, R, C, 13,996. Write-in, 65.

County County Clerk — Nadine P. Hanlon, R, 13,354. Write-in, 43.

District Attorney — Susan M. Howard R, C, 13,992. Write-in, 123.

Coroner (vote for three) — Rocco L. Sidari, R, 10,837; Scott M. Schmidt, R, 10,681; Julie A. Woodworth, R, 10,460. Write-in, 41.

Town Clerk (one year to fill vacancy) — Deborah Yockel, R, 1,149. Write-in, 6.

Council Member (one year to fill vacancy) John L. Olles R, 1,136. Write-in, 9.

Proposition 1: No, 10,718; Yes, 5,800.

WYOMING COUNTYIn the presidential race, Republican and Conservative candidates Donald J. Trump and JD Vance had 13,181 votes and Democratic and Working Families candidates Kamala D. Harris and Tim Walz had 4,679. Write-in, 125.

For United States senator, Michael D. Sapriacone, R, C, had 12,408, incumbent Kirsten D. Gillibrand, D, WF, had 5,069 and Diane Sare, LaRouche Party, 75. Write-in, 6.

For State Supreme Court, 8th Judicial District, (vote for up to four), Henry J. Nowak, R, D, C, WF, 16,590; Catherine R. Nugent-Panepinto, R, D, C, WF, 16,175; Deborah A. Chimes, R, D, C, 15,946; Michael J. Morris, R, D, C, 15,849. Write-in, 30.

For representative in Congress (vote for one), incumbent Claudia Tenney, R, C, had 13,218 and David Wagenhauser, D, 3,971. Write-in, 3.

For state senator, incumbent George M. Borrello, R, C, had 14,429. Write-in, 37.

For Assembly, 133rd District, Andrea K. Bailey, R, C, had 2,683 votes and Colleen Walsh-Williams, D, 964. Write-in, 2.

For Assembly, 147th District, David DiPietro, R, C, had 10,634 and Darci B. Cramer, D, 2,948. Write-in, 4.

District Attorney — Vincent A. Hemming had 14,142. Write-in, 37.

Coroner — William Lampke had 14,042. Write-in, 41.

Town Justice — Julie A. Perry, R, had 1,053 votes. Write-in, 3.

Town Justice — James Wawrzyniak, R

Town Council (vote for one) — Jeff Burger, R, had 967 and Mark Prior, A Better Bennington, 767. Write-in, 5.

Town Supervisor — Nathan L. Rudgers, R, had 483 votes. Write-in, 1.

Town Justice — Bridgette Dukarm, R, D, had 521 votes. Write-in, 2.

Town Justice — Sara Mattingly, R, D, had 902 votes. Write-in, 1.

Town Clerk — Trish Muniak, R, had 817 votes. Write-in, 200.

Town Justice — Jennifer McCormick, R, had 964 votes. Write-in, 10.

Library Trustee (vote for one) — Shani Jones, R, had 1,492 votes and Cameron Marsh, D, had 740. Write-in, 3.

Town Council — Gary Cummins, R, had 326 votes.

Proposition 1: No, 10,718; Yes, 5,800.