Albany, N.Y. (AP) - Fracking opponents in the Southern Tier were beaten up and down the ballot on Election Day.
Some of the intense campaigns were framed as referendums on shale gas development.
In the 23rd District, Democratic challenger Nate Shinagawa lost by about 10,000 votes to incumbent Tom Reed. Shinagawa is against hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, for natural gas.
In the 22nd Congressional District, Republican Richard Hanna beat Dan Lamb, who was endorsed by New York Residents Against Drilling.
In the Broome County executive race, Democrat and anti-drilling activist Tarik Abdelazim lost to incumbent Debbie Preston, a strong drilling supporter. Anti-fracking candidates also lost town races in the Southern Tier where shale gas drilling is most likely if Gov. Andrew Cuomo allows it.
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