Final vote totals from the Erie County Courthouse gave Democrat Barry Grossman a 343-vote victory in the ultratight race for Erie County executive.
Grossman, of Fairview, garnered 26,211 votes to 25,868 for Greene Township’s Kerner, according to final vote totals.
Both men lauded each other at a news conference earlier today for running clean campaigns that stuck to the issues. They even shared a handshake — and a hug.
“You don’t have to degrade or demonize your opponent to win,” Grossman said.
Said Kerner, who fought back tears as he talked: “I’m extremely emotional right now. I put an extreme amount of time and effort into this. I hate losing, and it’s difficult to come up short.”
–Kevin Flowers

