After weeks of ballot and affidavit counting, Republican Suffolk Sheriff candidate Larry Zacarese has conceded.

In a statement, Zacarese said, “Unfortunately after counting all of the absentee and affidavit ballots we did not make up the ground we needed in order to prevail.  I am proud of the campaign we ran, the honest and tireless work of our volunteers and the light that was shown on the electoral process here in Suffolk County.”

The race between Zacarese and Democrat Errol Toulon Jr. has been up in the air since Election Day.

As of Nov. 30, Toulon was leading by more than 1,600 votes.

Toulon is the first African-American to hold a major countywide office.