Sgt. Kyle Bourgault of the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office, was leading in a primary Tuesday to succeed Sheriff Pat Russo, who did not seek reelection and backed Bourgault.

Bourgault, a 16-year veteran of the force, was leading Jason Stocklas, an engineer with the state Department of Environmental Conservation and volunteer firefighter who worked 18 years in law enforcement, 1,685 to 312 with 60% of precincts reporting as of 10:30 p.m., according to unofficial results from the Rensselaer County Board of Elections.

“The numbers will show and reflect the positive interactions we've had over the past couple of months between our petition signing and our campaigning," Bourgault said just before the votes were tallied. "We've met thousands of residents in the county.”

Bourgault focused on making sure there is increased recruiting and retention among state corrections officers for jails, and said he would like to see the number of school resource officers increased from seven in September "because the safety and security of our children is something that shouldn't be second to anything.”

Stocklas campaigned, in part, on community policing and increasing training outreach to firearms owners.

“I think we've done a really great job, had some really amazing people supporting me and I'm really proud of all of our efforts,” Stocklas said.

Bourgault will face former Troy Police Chief Brian Owens, an enrolled Conservative that is endorsed by county Democrats, in November.