Buffalo, New York - Lackawanna finance attorney Mark Poloncarz says he's planning on being the Democratic candidate for County Comptroller in the November election, but he's being very cautious, standing just at the edge of victory.

“I think we've won,” said Poloncarz. “I believe we've won, but until we declare which is going to be in a little bit of time, I can't definitively say that I am the nominee for Erie County Comptroller.”

The reason - paper ballots used in about 20 percent of voting districts. It's why opponent Robert Whelan isn't ready to declare anything either.

“The 20 percent that would be outstanding, include towns like Hamburg and West Seneca which are both larger voting numbers by far than the rest combined, like Holland and Elma, places like that. So I'm going to see what those pictures really shape up before making any kind of definitive statement.,” said Whelan.

But Erie County Democratic Committee Chairman Len Lenihan is a bit more confident about who won.

“An earthquake hit Erie County last year when the Giambra budget fell apart and all the truth started leaking out, and Mark Poloncarz spoke to that issue,” said Lenihan. “And I think that had a whole lot to do with his victory tonight.”

Since Poloncarz and Whelan are being very vague about victory or defeat it may be a few days or a few weeks if the candidates wait for paper ballot results, before someone officially declares victory.

© 2005 WKBW-TV.

© 2005 MSNBC.com