Republican Esteban Gonzalez has conceded to Democrat Toby Shelley in the close race for Onondaga County sheriff following days of vote counting.

Gonzalez said in a statement Wednesday night that "the votes are in and the people of Onondaga County have spoken."  

“My opponent received more votes than I did and I want to congratulate Toby Shelley on becoming the next Sheriff of Onondaga County," he said.

According to the Onondaga County Board of Elections, there is currently a margin of 3,536 votes in favor of Shelley and 114 ballots left to be scanned.

“There is no longer a path to victory, so I am fulfilling my Election Night promise and conceding,” Gonzalez said. “I am thankful to the countless supporters who got behind my candidacy. Most of all I would like to thank my family for their support. My wife Lisa, my son Dylan, my daughter Madison, and son in law Ryan. It was a long, hard campaign and they were in my corner every step of the way.”

This was Shelley's fourth time running for sheriff. He retired after 17 years as an Onondaga County deputy and currently works as a Jordan police officer.

Shelley will replace two-term Sheriff Gene Conway, who is retiring. He becomes the first Democrat in more than 40 years to hold the seat.