Nassau Vote Too Close to Call for Suozzi or Mangano

New York Times -

Nov-06-2009

Nassau Vote Too Close to Call for Suozzi or Mangano

(topic overview)
CONTENTS:

There was also a big Republican win for the office of Westchester County executive, as well as two Republican seats picked up on the New York City Council. (More...)
Later on, Suozzi congratulated the Republicans on winning the legislature, saying that '''they have to govern now: it can'''t be based on scare tactics, it can'''t be based on fear, it has to be based on ideas.''' (More...)
Good sign for Americans: ACORN/SEIU will be closely watched from now on and splintering into other voter fraud raketeering groups will not work! (We are so on to you!). (More...)
Brian Beedenbender (D- Centereach ) trails former police union official Thomas Muratore, a Republican, by 2 percentage points with only one election district left to be counted. (More...)
John J. Ciotti, a Republican from North Valley Stream ]] Valley Stream ]] Valley Stream, defeated challenger Nina Petraro Bastardi, a Democrat from Valley Stream. (More...)
A chorus of commentators called it good karma for state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo - a Rice ally and no big pal of Suozzi. (More...)

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There was also a big Republican win for the office of Westchester County executive, as well as two Republican seats picked up on the New York City Council. These Republican wins were had in an off-year election, with no national attractions at the top of the ticket. Locally, on this part of the South Shore of Long Island, Howard (Chaim) Kopel scored an impressive and resounding victory over ten-year incumbent Nassau County Legislator Jeff Toback. The Democratic Nassau County Executive, Tom Suozzi, is holding for dear political life in his race with Republican Ed Mangano, as the race goes to a recount with Suozzi unofficially leading Mr. Mangano by just 247 votes. At this point it looks like Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman will also be going down in defeat. [1] One day after the Republicans gained control of the Nassau County Legislature for the first time since 1999, they are already planning to undo many of the policies and programs created by their Democratic counterparts. By winning two seats - Howard Kopel''over Jeff Toback and''Joseph Belisi''over David Mejias - the Republicans now hold an 11-8 majority in the Legislature, and are preparing to "run rough-shod" over County Executive Tom Suozzi, who holds a slim lead in his race against challenger Ed Mangano, according to Desmond Ryan, the executive director for the Association for a Better Long Island.[2] As of press time, Suozzi holds a 118,111 - 117,874 vote lead over Mangano. It could be said that the 2009 Election in Nassau could be viewed as more a referendum on incumbent Tom Suozzi (D - Glen Cove) than a vote for Ed Mangano (R - Bethpage) simply because of Suozzi's eight-years as County Executive and Mangano being little known outside of the 17th Legislative District. "This is a tough time to be an incumbent," said Suozzi around 11 P.M. Tuesday night, just after Nassau Democratic chair Wayne Wink announced that his party would lose control of Legislature. It is the first time in almost a decade that Republicans control the County Legislature with a 10-9 majority. "I like the way they do things," said one conservative-voting senior.[3] '''I am hopeful I will be leading that change and I thank everyone who supported me in my grassroots campaign and platform to stop wasteful spending, fix the property tax assessment system, stop the energy tax and create local jobs and opportunities.''' In other Nassau County races, District Attorney Kathleen Rice was successful in her re-election bid, defeating challenger Joy Watson. It appears as though Nassau County could have a new comptroller as Republican challenger George Maragos leads Democrat incumbent Howard Weitzman by 576 votes. In the race for County Clerk, Republican incumbent Maureen O'''Connell kept her position by defeating Democratic challenger Carrie Solages. In the Town of Hempstead, Republican incumbent Kate Murray will remain Supervisor as she easily defeated Democratic challenger Kristen McElroy and all three incumbents on the town council ''' Dorothy Goosby, Gary Hudes and Anthony Santino ''' retained their seats as did Town Clerk Mark Bonilla.[4] In another heated race, this time for Nassau County district attorney, incumbent Democrat Kathleen Rice, a Garden City High School graduate, received 129,508 votes while her opponent, Republican Joy Watson of Hempstead, received 109,526 votes. DA Rice said she has five major priorities for her second term: committing more resources and initiating several new crackdowns targeting gang proliferation in Nassau County; adding more resources to the prosecution of online sexual predators; drafting and passing a sweeping pension reform bill in Albany, saving taxpayers millions and restoring their trust in the fairness of the system; passing a luring statute in Albany that adequately criminalizes predators who lure children online to locations in our community. Right now there exists a dangerous loophole in state law that seriously under criminalizes these offenses, Rice said, adding that she will work to expand community education programs to include more locations and more topics.[5]

In the county clerk race, Republican incumbent Maureen O'Connell won in a landslide over Democrat Carrie Solages, winning with 142,774 votes to 86,482. The news was not all bad, however, as Jacobs proceeded to tell the crowd "I do want to give you some good news, and the good news i can tell you is this: our great district attorney, Kathleen Rice, has won a resounding victory tonight." Rice won her race over Republican Joy Watson 129,508 votes to 109,526. While the losses did strike the the audience, there were many outbursts of joy as on-lookers watched the executive race play out, and saw other Democrats from across the island win their votes.[6]

While the Democrats of Nassau County lost their majority control in the Legislature, those gathered at the Marriott Hotel in Uniondale on Tuesday night were able to celebrate the re-election of district attorney Kathleen Rice. Rice won her election over Republican Joy Watson by a vote of 129,508 votes to 109,526.[7] With potentially several thousand absentee ballots still in the mail and affidavit ballots traditionally favoring Democratic candidates, according to a Democratic Party official, it is likely that the New York State Court of Appeals will ultimately decide who the next County Executive will be. Some Democratic Party officials were disappointed by voter turnout and conceded on Election Day that they were not overly optimistic about their chances to retain control of Nassau County government. Their pessimism was warranted - Republicans won a crucial seat in the County Legislature to gain a 10-9 majority and Republican George Maragos, a businessman with limited political experience, leads incumbent Comptroller Weitzman in a race that may also require a recount.[8]

Tom Suozzi may have been re-elected but if so, it was by the skin of his teeth. By giving Suozzi a razor-thin lead and Republicans control of the county Legislature, angry voters sent these strong messages: The bloom is off the rose; the so-called '''Nassau Miracle''' is a farce; it'''s time for Suozzi to stop self-aggrandizing statewide travel and tend full time to the needs of his tax-weary constituents or quit and let the Legislature pick his successor. The election results should wake Suozzi to the reality that he has been coasting for too long. Because he has been too busy in search of higher office (take your pick: governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, U.S. senator), Suozzi has failed to address Nassau'''s structural financial problems. To '''get by,''' he has employed fiscal gimmicks to '''balance''' his budget similar to those that bankrupted New York City in the 1970s: phantom revenue, capitalizing of expenses, overly optimistic tax projections, increasing taxes on an already overtaxed citizenry. As a result of his fiscal follies, Suozzi now presides over a county whose average property tax, as a percentage of household income, is the third highest in the nation; and at 8 percent, is almost three times the 2.85 percent national average.[9] Verdict (Comptroller): Republicans criticized Comptroller Weitzman using general terms, while failing to support Maragos, a relative unknown. Nassau County Clerk Maureen O'Connell sent information to voters detailing her accomplishments and positions, including her voting record as Assemblywoman and County Clerk. She identified fighting tax increases and cutting county spending as top priorities. Although one mailing referred to her opponent, Carrie Solages, it simply compared the political backgrounds of the candidates in an effort to emphasize the inexperience of Solages, who became an admitted attorney in 2006. Verdict : Clerk O'Connell emphasized her experience without denigrating her opponent. The North Hempstead Democratic Committee supported Supervisor John Kaiman by identifying the quality of life in the town of North Hempstead during Supervisor Kaiman's time in office, including its recycling program and the fact that it was ranked #2 in the county as healthiest place to retire, according to The New York Times. Citizens for Lee Tu focused on the strengths of its candidate of choice, rather than engaging in a campaign against Kaiman. The organization asserted that Tu's business background will allow him to work with residents to develop a "Property Owner's Bill of Rights" and reduce wasteful spending. Verdict : Supervisor Kaiman and Tu made focused arguments in support of their candidacies.[10]

At the Nassau County Democratic headquarters at the Mariott Hotel in Uniondale on Tuesday night, supporters and staff alike suffered the loss of majority control over the county legislature, retained the district attorney's office, and waited in angst for results from the Nassau County Executive race. While loss of the legislature hurt, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi did congratulate the winning Republicans, and by nights end informed the crowd that he was leading by "415 votes".[6] Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi called himself "luckier" than many other incumbents but conceded he didn't think Tuesday night's race "would be this close." Holding his first news conference since the cliffhanger, Suozzi said Wednesday he is up 237 votes on Republican challenger Edward Mangano, adding that anybody "who says they know what's going to happen in this election doesn't know what they're talking about.[11] According to the unofficial results of the Nassau County Board of Elections, incumbent Democratic County Executive Tom Suozzi received 118,111 votes while Republican challenger Ed Mangano received 117,874 and Conservative challenger Steven Hansen received 9,552.[5]

As of press time, the race for Nassau County Executive was still undecided as Democrat Tom Suozzi and Republican Ed Mangano were locked in a heated battle that may be decided by absentee ballots. In the Nassau County'''s 3rd Legislative District, longtime Republican incumbent John Ciotti retained his position, defeating Nina Petraro Bastardi by a 6,252 to 4,654 margin.[4]

On Long Island, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi led Republican challenger Edward Mangano by a slim 237-vote margin in a race that many, including Suozzi, thought would be a cakewalk.[12]

Among the last poll numbers to be counted by the Board of Elections Tuesday night were the results from Glen Cove - Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi's hometown and Democratic stronghold - and from Long Beach, which has a long history of voting irregularities as it swings back and forth between Republican and Democratic control.[13] Edward Mangano, who spent 14 years in political obscurity as a little-known county legislator, may be close to slaying Nassau's Goliath. After the machine ballots were counted Tuesday night, the soft-spoken Bethpage Republican, who ran a low-key, shoestring campaign, was just 237 votes behind County Executive Thomas Suozzi, a high-profile, eight-year Democratic incumbent with more than $2 million in his campaign war chest.[14] Suozzi territory seemed to get a whole lot smaller this week. Four years ago, the incumbent Democrat swept to a second term as county executive and turned the map of Nassau County a deep shade of blue, winning more than 800 election districts against a poorly funded Republican challenger, Gregory Peterson, as this Newsday analysis shows.[15]

Democrat Tom Suozzi was a prohibitive favorite to defeat Republican Ed Mangano, a county legislator, and retain his position as Nassau County Executive.[8] The Dems are targeting John Ciotti (R-Valley Stream) and Richard Nicolello (R-New Hyde Park). At the top of the ticket, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, who is seeking his third term in the office, could be the victim of disillusionment among voters. His challengers, Legislator Ed Mangano (R-Bethpage) and Conservative Party candidate Steve Hansen will most likely make a deep dent in Suozzi'''s armor.[16]

Nassau Legis. Ed Mangano, the Republican candidate looking to unseat two-term County Executive Tom Suozzi, a Democrat,''remains confident and optimistic in the final hours of Election Night as voting results begin to trickle into his campaign headquarters in Bethpage.[17]

The county was in an economic mess, and residents, on average, paid the highest property taxes in the nation. Eight years later, frustrated voters sent Suozzi a stern message by ripping the county Legislature out from under him. Now he must govern with few friends, knowing that the voters have handed the hammer to the opposition party. That'''s working under the assumption that Suozzi hangs on to win a race some thought he'''d win by double digits. Clearly, voter concern about few jobs and exorbitant taxes ruled the day, and they want county government to focus on the economy. For Suozzi, who has spent most of his public time talking about various incarnations of Cool Downtowns, that'''s a stinging rebuke. Voters also want a full-time county executive, something Nassau hasn'''t had since Suozzi started traveling the state looking for his next job. The answer to those questions should be irrelevant. Suozzi'''s steadfast support of the Lighthouse Project and his pitch to revitalize downtowns, complete with apartments for young people, put Suozzi on the right side of those issues. The Lighthouse is the most regionally significant project on the Island, though Hempstead voters made it quite clear that they'''re supportive of Supervisor Kate Murray'''s deliberate approach. As for Suozzi, he must quickly decide if he'''s up to his job'''s challenges. If not, an Edward Mangano win wouldn'''t be so bad.[18] In a conference call with reporters this afternoon, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi blamed his near-loss on a combination of voters' anti-incumbent sentiment and anger over property taxes. Suozzi, who is hanging to his job by a 237-vote threat at the moment, said he intends to "stick this process out to the end." He said he is "neither optimistic nor pessimistic," but did note there are some 12,000 paper ballots still out - from affidavit and emergency paper to absentees - and predicted the race could take up to a month to decide.[19] Armchair pundits all over Nassau County are wide-eyed, already retiring Suozzi'''s jersey and raising it to the rafters. Win or lose, they consider him the Democratic reincarnation of Tom Gulotta. Either way, Suozzi'''s undoing in this election was in pushing through the energy tax instead of simply raising property taxes. The electorate clearly felt '''back doored''' on this levy and the Republicans used it as the primary wedge in the campaign. The only thing more egregious to voters than high taxes is trying to hide them.[20] Executive Suozzi replaced Republican Tom Gulotta in 2002 and sought re-election for a third term, an achievement which has eluded many politicians. Despite the facts that Nassau County has the fifth-highest property taxes in the United States and its economy has struggled during the global economic recession, Executive Suozzi and his supporters believed his promise to relieve the tax burden on county residents while promoting environmentalism would allow him to continue serving his constituents.[8]

Multiple issues of budgetary ineptitude and a tanking economy caused the county with the most registered Republicans in New York to vote for Democrats, and consistently (Before Suozzi's inauguration, the Maxwell School for Public Affairs at Syracuse ranked Nassau County as the worst run county in the country). After Republican Rick Lazio left his Nassau based congressional seat to compete against Hillary Clinton in the 2000 Senate race, Democrat Steve Israel won and still holds the seat. Carolyn Maloney D-NY and Peter King R-NY hold the other congressional seats that represent Nassau in Washington (Democrats have been intensely trying to find a candidate to test the long-time and popular congressman but they feel the right candidate could knock him off).[21] In Nassau County, Republicans recaptured the county legislature, and have come close to unseating the Democratic County Executive, Thomas R. Suozzi, in a race that remained too close to call on Wednesday morning." Why does this matter so much? Because the New York suburbs epitomize the new Blue America.[22] Legislator Muscarella was first elected in 1996 at the inception of the Nassau County Legislature. Prior to that, he served as a New York State assemblyman from 1991-1995. The same is true for fellow legislator and incumbent, Republican Rich Nicolello of New Hyde Park, who bested Democratic challenger Dolores Sedacca by a 9,095 to 4,148 vote in the 9th L.D. Legislator Nicolello has represented the 9th L.D. since the inception of the Nassau County Legislature. He is currently the ranking member of the Planning Committee and the Labor Committee.[5] My home county hasn't even been marginally Republican since the days of Ronald Reagan and former Senator Alphonse D'Amato in the 1980's. The County Legislature has a 13-4 Democratic advantage and Barack Obama won the county 63%-37% over John McCain in 2008 so the fact that Rob Astorino was able to win isn't enough for me: The fact that he more or less spanked a 4-term incumbent by a 58%-42% margin is jaw-dropping. There is literally a 2-1 Democratic to Republican voter registration and ever since State Senator Nicholas Spano lost his re-election race to former County Legislator Andrea Stewart-Cousins by 18 votes in 2004, there have been only 2 Republicans in the Westchester delegation to Albany out of 13 (Assemblymen and Senators). Astorino's victory came partially because of his promise to cut taxes that are some of the highest in the country (And as a native, I can tell you there's no way in hell I'm moving to Westchester after I get my Master's because I simply wouldn't be able to afford it) and cut spending in a county whose seen its budget jump from 800 million to 1.8 billion in the last 10 years but I think it came mainly because after 16 years of Spano and not much improvement in quality of life and in the local economy, voters felt it was simply time for someone new.[21]

Jay Jacobs, chairman of the Nassau Democratic Committee, said Suozzi was staying upbeat. He cited a highly organized Republican get-out-the-vote effort and extremely low Democratic turnout in what he called a "stunning result." He said it was a tough time for a Democrat to face the voters. "This is a bad year to pick to run. The Obama and the Democratic voters stayed home," he said. Attorneys from both sides said Wednesday the absentee ballots may determine the outcome. "This is the classic race where everyone's vote will count," said Steven Schlesinger, a Democratic Party attorney who sought a court order Wednesday that will lead to a recount. "It could just as easily be decided by a soldier voting absentee ballot from Afghanistan " or "a retired couple on a cruise ship in Australia," he said. Or, as Republican attorney Peter A. Bee said: "I suspect both sides have purchased champagne - but neither side has popped the cork."[11] The republicans are now looking forward to quite a slim majority in the Nassau County Legislature. Attorneys for both sides had already got a court order on Tuesday, which froze the machines and paper ballots, according to Democratic lawyer Steven R. Schlesinger. "This is a tough time to be an incumbent, because the people are in a bad mood," Suozzi told supporters Tuesday night.[23] The victory came on the heels of the Democrats losing control of the Nassau County Legislature, as incumbent Jeff Toback fell to Republican Howard Kopel. In her speech she gave to the audience at the Marriott, Rice said '''this is a difficult night, but we still have to have a lot of hope.''' "we are a great party, we are great public servants,''' Rice said, thanking her staffers and fellow Democrats for helping to run a great campaign. Speaking to Nassau News Live, Rice said she was '''incredibly gratified, I'''m so grateful to the voters of Nassau County for returning me to serve as their D.A. for the next four years.''' She also highlighted how the D.A. office has '''begun the fight against heroin, but it is an enormous problem here.''' Rice also talked about sexual predators, saying: '''we are going to continue to put resources towards the fight against online sexual predators''' and that '''we are going to go up to Albany and fight for legislation to enable us to really send these people to prison where they belong.''' Rice also highlighted the gun buyback program, which has taken 1,100 guns off of the streets of Nassau County, she said.[7] Democrats held the edge in the County Legislature ten seats to nine, and the County Comptroller Howard Weitzman and District Attorney Kathleen Rice are members of the Party. A strong majority of Nassau County voters cast their ballots for President Barack Obama during the 2008 Presidential election.[8] The voter anger that barraged Suozzi did not extend to every Democrat. District Attorney Kathleen Rice did just fine, thank you - in two-thirds of Nassau's precincts, more voters pulled the lever for her than for the county executive, election returns show.[15] The results or on the basis of: 1,142 of 1,142 precincts = 100 percent. For county Executive Nassau, Thomas Suozzi of the Dem (i) got 118,111 precincts, which makes it 48 percent for him, Edward Mangano of'' GOP'' got 117,874 precincts, which makes it around 48 percent for him as well and Steven Hansen of'' Con got 9,552 precincts, which gets him around 4 percent. For District Attorney Nassau, Kathleen Rice of'' Dem (i) got 129,508precincts, which gave her 54 percent and Joy Watson of GOP got 109,526 precincts, which gave him 46 percent.[24]

For state Conservative Party leaders, Wednesday's reviews were more mixed. While celebrating the improbably strong run of that party's nominee for an upstate House race, Mike Long, the state chairman, told Newsday he regrets that the party's county committee may have helped Democrat Thomas Suozzi survive by denying Republican Edward Mangano the line. Suozzi Wednesday was clinging to an unofficial lead of a few hundred votes, his political stock for the state races in 2010 plunging by most accounts. Jacobs, a close ally of Suozzi who managed his past campaigns, oversaw mailings, ads and get-out-the-vote efforts in Nassau.[25] "The taxes are extremely too high on Long Island," Lewis said. Democrats say they approved the Home Energy Tax as a fair and honest way to keep Nassau's bond rating solid and keeps services running. Those taxes now may have Thomas Suozzi's political future hanging in the balance. "No matter what happens in this race, I will not allow Nassau County to become the fiscal basket case it was before I came into office, and before the Democrats turned this place around," Suozzi said.[26] With approximately 237 votes separating the candidates at the moment, the county executive said the race was too close to call and that the recount process could take up to a month as voting machines are re-canvassed, legal challenges are made and absentee ballots are counted. Suozzi said he was not shocked by the close race. He believes it brings an important issue to a head - the fact that the bulk of the taxes overburdening people are coming from school taxes, which Albany should cap. '''The voters are angry, and I share their anger,''' he said. '''What we need to do is channel that anger now and hope that some good comes out of these results. It is school taxes that are crushing Long Island.[5] "So just the way that we worked, with handshakes and shoe leather to get us to the neck-and-neck race in person, we applied to the absentee ballots in writing," Mangano said. Suozzi said he believes high school taxes fed voters' anger. "If I lose this race, and it wakes elected officials up to people's anger, then it may be a good thing, showing that something has to be done about the burden to the people." He said if Republicans repeal the home energy tax they will have to replace the $39 million in revenueit brings in. "No matter what happens in this race, though, I will not let the county become the fiscal basket case it was when I came," Suozzi said.[14]

Republicans have promised to be more fiscally responsible and repeal a 2.5 percent home energy tax. When asked if there was any one specific topic that brought them out to the polls, voters did not zero in on a specific issue such as taxes, instead simply voting the party line. "You're working against yourself," commented a registered Democratic woman on if she considered splitting her vote in some races. "We're trying to rebuild (Nassau County), it's so expensive, nobody can stay anymore."[3] A pledge to repeal the 2.5 percent sales tax on home energy sources was the centerpiece of Ed Mangano's campaign as the Republican nominee for county executive. "When everybody's tightening their belts at home, Nassau County government turned around and said, 'listen, give us more money each and every month on your utility bill electric, oil, propane, natural gas, even firewood,'" Mangano said. "It's a ridiculous tax." When asked about her biggest complaint, Nassau County voter Ann Sullivan was quick to spell out here biggest issue. "It's taxes!" Sullivan said. That's what brought schoolteacher Pearl Lewis to the polls.[26] Conservative Party Candidate for Executive Steve Hansen criticized Mangano for "abandoning the Reagan philosophy of smaller government" and claimed Mangano was not committed to cutting taxes and spending. He detailed why he represents the interests of conservative voters, but did not detail how he would address the problems facing Nassau County. Verdict (Executive): Supporters of Executive Suozzi and Mangano criticized the backgrounds of the opposing candidate but did little to enhance the candidacies of their preferred politicians.[10] Perhaps the biggest surprise is the Nassau County Conservative Party, whose members were clearly ill informed about county executive candidate and potential spoiler Steve Hansen. The ones who bothered to show up moved steadily down the row without realizing that Hansen and Nassau County Conservative Chairman Roger Bogsted work directly for Suozzi'''s administration, the one person who knew better than anyone just how close this race would be.[20]

In Nassau County, Democratic Executive Thomas Suozzi, who ran for governor in 2006 and is considered a possible candidate for attorney general next year, was holding just a 237-vote lead in his re-election bid.[27] On Tuesday, that effort ran into a kind of ballot boycott by Democrats - one that also helped oust three-term Westchester Executive Andrew Spano. Kathleen Rice, who unseated incumbent Republican District Attorney Denis Dillon four years ago, won a solid re-election, providing a rare bright spot for Long Island's Democratic players and boosting her possible status as an attorney general candidate. "She's very talented," Jacobs said when asked about her short-term future. "Nothing would surprise me with her; she'll have plenty of options available and we'll see what she wants to do. She will go places." After a hefty fundraising haul, she may be coming into next year with close to $1 million in the bank, Democratic sources said Wednesday.[25] Outside the polling station at the New Hyde Park Village Hall, turnout was expectedly light during the afternoon, with many more Republicans showing than Democratic voters. "He's just a neighborhood person, he comes around a lot, he seems like he does a great job," added another woman of Nicolello, who pulled the lever for all GOP members save for Nassau District Attorney Kathleen Rice (D). Rice won her contest with 54% of the vote against 46-percent for challenger Joy Watson (R). Trustee David Goodsell has lost his seat on the 10th District bench, finishing out of the top six candidates with 174,853 votes.[3] According to mailings distributed by Friends of Kathleen Rice, District Attorney Rice has reduced crime in Hempstead by 70% and "is working with the police, faith-based and social service groups to implement a comprehensive crime-reduction strategy to reduce gun and drug crimes in Hempstead." Another mailing reads: "From getting drunk drivers off our streets to putting online child predators behind bars, District Attorney Kathleen Rice is fighting our toughest fights…And she's winning." Verdict : District Attorney Rice presented a cohesive and compelling argument in support of her candidacy. The New York State Democratic Committee focused its efforts not on promoting the achievements of Democratic candidates for County Executive and Comptroller, but rather on criticizing opposing candidates.[10] I have reviewed mailings from candidates running for public office in Nassau County, New York. The following are my observations of each candidate's efforts to promote his or her candidacy and criticize his or her opponent. District Attorney Kathleen Rice made her case for re-election by identifying important issues facing Nassau County and emphasizing her accomplishments. No mention was made of her opponents.[10]

Nassau County district attorney Kathleen Rice addresses the crowd at the Nassau County Democratic headquarters on Tuesday night at the Marriott Hotel in Uniondale.[7]

Local candidates spent the day closely monitoring turnout, which political leaders expected to reach about 30 percent in Nassau County and 23 percent in Suffolk. Nassau Democratic chairman Jay Jacobs forecast trouble for Suozzi at 6 p.m., when he said more voters than he hoped were turning out in the county's GOP districts, while traditionally Democratic precincts were not meeting expectations.[28] No, Nassau County was a "pretty Republican" County and still is. The fact that 8 years straight of Democratic leadership cannot be over looked, and you have to keep in mind that Tom Suozzi won by almost 20% in 2005 when he sought re-election.[21] When Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi first won his seat in 2001, he represented a new beginning ''' a radical shift from decades of Republican rule.[18] Pending the recount for Nassau County Executive, Tom Suozzi leads by just 237 votes. A court battle is possible once the final results are known later this month.[26] MINEOLA (WPIX) - In perhaps the biggest election day surprise, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi is hanging on to the slimmest lead to try and save his job and political future.[29] Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi was hanging onto his job Wednesday by a slim 237-vote lead - with thousands of paper ballots still uncounted.[30] Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi addresses the media after early returns show him in a slight lead for his re-election. Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi was not able to give a grand acceptance speech to his constituents at the Marriott Hotel in Uniondale on Tuesday, but the returns left him optimistic that he would be able to soon. Talking to the media, Suozzi noted how he felt '''really good''', and he re-iterated to the crowd that '''the reason we are in public life is to try to solve problems.'''[31]

Most shocking was the announcement that County Executive Tom Suozzi's race against Republican Ed Mangano was "too close to call," with Mangano leading by more than 4,000 votes.[32]

David Mejias of Farmingdale was running 100 votes behind Republican challenger Joseph Belesi, and if Belesi can pull it off, that would give Schmitt and the GOP a three-vote edge. It would not be enough to give Republicans a veto-proof majority of 13 votes. County Executive Thomas Suozzi made it clear yesterday that if he beats Mangano, he would veto the repeal of the energy tax if it did not provide matching savings of $39 million. Suozzi said he told Schmitt, "You have to come up with commensurate ways to fill the gap, $39 million.[33] County Executive Thomas Suozzi is locked in an extremely close race with Republican challenger Edward Mangano after voters went to the polls Tuesday simmering with anger over taxes and the economy.[28] Elections officials say the reasons are geographic, not political. Suozzi's Republican challenger, Edward Mangano, who had been running ahead of the incumbent county executive until those polls came in, is asking his party and the police to keep a close watch on the recount.[13] The Democratic incumbent who was expected to win a third term was unable to declare victory early Wednesday. With all but three election districts reporting, Suozzi leads his Republican challenger Edward Mangano by 406 votes out of more than 235-thousand cast.[34]

In the 14th District, incumbent Democrat David Mejias was ahead by fewer than 100 votes over Republican challenger Joseph Belesi. In Southampton, Republican Supervisor Linda Kabot lost to Democratic town board member Anna Throne-Holst, in what might have been a public referendum on the town's fiscal distress, Kabot's combative style or her recent drunken driving arrest. In Riverhead ]] Riverhead, incumbent Supervisor Philip Cardinale lost to Republican challenger Sean Walter, a former town attorney who has criticized his handling of major developments.[28]

Via The New York Times, Republicans made inroads in New York's suburbs. "In Westchester County, where Democrats have a solid advantage in voter registration, a Republican challenger, Rob Astorino, upset the incumbent Democratic County Executive, Andrew Spano, who was seeking his fourth term.[22] Growing diversity and concerns about education in the postindustrial economy helped lead to Democratic inroads in local races. During the Democrats most recent identity crises, after they lost the 2004 election, New York Sen. Chuck Schumer wrote a whole book about how Democrats can and should appeal to voters like the ones in the New York suburbs. He knows just how important they are: traditionally in New York politics, the city votes heavily Democratic and upstate favors Republicans.[22] Some Democrats said the results also hit Republicans, who lost the nationally watched 23rd Congressional District race in northern New York. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, despite spending close to $100 million on his election to a third term, had a surprisingly close win against Democrat Bill Thompson. "If you look at these returns, we are used to seeing partisan waves in terms of political trends," said Bruce Gyory, a Democratic political consultant in Albany. "This wasn't a partisan wave, this was a non-partisan, anti-incumbent riptide that hit everywhere."[27]

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Grumpy suburban voters outside New York City took out their dissatisfaction on two popular Democratic incumbent county executives on Election Day, ousting one from office in a stunning 16-point defeat and forcing the other to await the results of a recount.[12] "I am very happy. "He had the power of incumbency, he had the power of the county executive, and we were still able to be heard," Mangano said. Suozzi, meanwhile said he was "surprised but not shocked at the election results. I didn't think the race would be this close." Suozzi said he is luckier than a lot of incumbents and pointed to Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano, a fixture, who lost handily Tuesday. "There's a strong anti-incumbent feeling out there," he said during a news conference in his office Wednesday afternoon.[11] I think when all the votes have been counted, we will prevail," Legislator Mangano said. "I am very happy. had the power of incumbency, he had the power of the county executive, and we were still able to be heard." Executive Suozzi said he was "surprised but not shocked at the election results" and that he "didn't think the race would be this close."[8] As a member of a political party which espoused similar values as the Republican Party, it was probable that Hansen would attract voters who otherwise would have voted for Legislator Mangano; Hansen received 9,552 votes, approximately 4% of the total number of votes cast. Despite these significant advantages, Executive Suozzi led Legislator Mangano 118,111-117,874, as each received approximately 48% of the vote, and a recount will be necessary to decide the winner of the race.[8]

Time for the Nassau Republican party to replace Mondello. He failed to provide any proper support for the Mangano campaign and may have cost his party the County Executive position by mismanaging the Nassau campaign. Mondello still has the stench from the old corrupt Republican machine on him and the emerging new Republican party and it's voters need to have fresh blood and honest intelligent leadership in order to attract new voters and support.[35] One month after becoming state Democratic chairman, Jay Jacobs, who's also the party's Nassau ]] Nassau leader, found himself rocked by a scary-low-turnout election that rattled his county organization. And, one month after departing as the state's loss-battered Republican chairman, Joseph Mondello, who's also his party's Nassau leader, tasted sweet comebacks in county races. Mondello told well-wishers on Tuesday night: "We've been waiting for this for a long time."[25] Here's a timeline of what has happened so far in the Nassau ]] Nassau ]] Nassau County executive race and what is projected to happen, according to election officials and attorneys for the Democratic and Republican parties.[36]

Some 12,000 absentee ballots were mailed out and so far 6,000 have been returned; to be valid, absentee ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 2 and received by Nassau County Board of Elections no later than Nov. 10. It could be at least two weeks for a county executive is declared. Mangano remains optimistic that he will be the next county executive. '''Clearly, the people of Nassau County want to see change in Nassau County government,''' he said.[4] The machines are secreted away each night during the review process, which can take up to 25 days, with two keys to the room given to the Nassau County Police Department. Mangano thinks he will prevail when the absentee ballots are counted.[37]

Final results for the Nassau County Executive seat may take up to a month, as absentee ballots are now counted to decide a final tally.[6]

Poll results show Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi leading Edward Mangano by a very slim margin. In this file photo, a man helps a voter at Pulaski Street Elementary School in Riverhead.[28] Nassau, Nov 4 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Poll results are reflecting that Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi is leading Edward Mangano by a very slim margin.[23]

Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi is in the fight for his political life, as poll results''Tuesday night''show him with a tiny lead over challenger Edward Mangano.[38]

Nassau county executive Thomas Suozzi could barely hide his surprise after addressing subdued supporters at the Long Island Marriott in Uniondale."[34] It's a shocker. Nassau county executive Thomas Suozzi could barely hide his surprise after addressing subdued supporters at the Long Island Marriott in Uniondale hours after the polls closed.[34]

"The residents of Nassau County have had it." "They are nickel-and-diming us Suozzi with the oil tax, anyone with home heating oil has to pay it," Long Island resident James Fitzgerald said. "It's taking every penny we have."[26]

As for Suozzi'''s three-year fiscal plan (2010-2013), it too paints a rosy economic and tax revenue growth picture; it includes borrowed money to pay operating expenses, defers various expenses including certain debt service payments, draws down reserves and relies too heavily on one-shot revenue opportunities. Assuming he ultimately wins, to regain the confidence of the taxpayers, Suozzi must first admit that his budget and fiscal plans are shams and that his overseer, the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, has correctly stated the county is too '''reliant on short-term budgetary strategies''' and '''that certain baseline estimates may prove incorrect or that even reasonable gap-closing initiatives will not be achieved.''' He must confirm that the voters Tuesday night ended any hope for a 2010 statewide candidacy and must pledge to devote his third term to straightening out Nassau'''s financial problems without raising taxes. If Suozzi heeds this advice, he will begin the process of repairing his severely damaged reputation. If he doesn'''t, Suozzi will be responsible for the financial collapse of Nassau County and will be branded the 21st century'''s John Vliet Lindsay.[9] Everybody has to wake up.''' He warned that if he loses and Republicans assume control of the executive branch, as they have the legislative branch of Nassau County, their cost-cutting methods could revert the county back into the '''fiscal basket case''' it was when he took office. He said that presently Nassau has the highest bond rating it has had in 20 years and that removing huge revenues like the $39 million energy tax without a way to '''fill the gap''' could destabilize the county.[5] The Kopel win adds an additional dynamic to the New York electoral process, with a product of the Orthodox Jewish community now a prominent and influential member of the Nassau County Republican infrastructure. While the win is brand-new and the Republicans are once again in virtual control of the county, the interesting aspect is whether this newly gained momentum will play itself out successfully in the Congressional elections to be held one year from now. The campaigns for those powerful seats in Congress begin today.[1] As a native of Westchester County, New York, I take personal interest in this outstanding bit of news: The Republican Party of New York made significant inroads in New York's two most affluent suburbs: Westchester County and Nassau County.[21]

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg barely eked out a win, and as of 1 A.M. Wednesday morning, the biggest race in Nassau County was still up for grabs by about 250 votes.[3]

A State Supreme Court judge in Nassau will hear arguments from each side on each contested ballot and will rule on each dispute. "Ultimately, this election will be decided by seven votes - that's the number of judges on the New York State Court of Appeals," said Suozzi's communication director, Bruce Nyman. A hearing is scheduled for Monday, though Bee and Schlesinger said they expected it to be adjourned.[11] A Republican state Supreme Court justice later denied a request by Nassau Democrats to impound the voting machines and absentee ballots. Both Republican and Democratic elections commissioners Wednesday said Glen Cove and Long Beach traditionally are among the last precincts reporting because each city has its own police force to collect the results.[13] Democratic Elections Commissioner Bill Biamonte added that currently the Long Beach city manager and police chief are Republican appointees. Mangano said he is asking Nassau Republican headquarters for their poll watchers' tally sheets, in which they write down the numbers when the back of the voting machines are opened. He also said he trusts Nassau police to keep the machines and absentee ballots secure until the recount is conducted.[13]

Legislator Mangano will likely hold an edge among received absentee ballot votes, because several hundred more Republicans than Democrats submitted absentee ballots and, during 2009 elections, independents and non-declared voters supported Republicans.[8]

There was a very, very strong turnout for Republican voters and a weak turnout of Democrat voters." Challenger Ed Mangano - a seven-term Republican County Legislator - said he disagrees. Mangano insists he was simply more in touch with voters and said high property taxes on the state and school districts are not to blame.[29] Legislator Mangano ran on the Republican and Tax Revolt Party lines, touting a five-year plan to freeze property taxes, repeal home energy and electricity taxes, and cut wasteful spending. He came under scrutiny from some local news sources and the Democratic Party because it was alleged that a $900,000 tax lien was placed on a family business.[8] "I look forward to representing all the people of the district, working with hopefully a new county executive and the legislature to reduce property taxes, reduce spending and cut the energy tax," said Kopel, owner of a title insurance company.[39] In true Suozzi form, the embattled county executive said he believes his race came down to one thing: Property taxes. He said he shares residents' anger about the ever-growing tax burden and pointed out he has long been trying to do address it. "If I lose this race, it should wake people up to the reality that Albany should change the way it addresses property taxes," Suozzi said[19] Suozzi and Spano were dogged by dissatisfaction over high property taxes in two of the most affluent counties in the country. "It's a big surprise, but it's not surprising the public's in a bad mood,'' said Suozzi, who ran a losing primary race for governor against Eliot Spitzer in 2006. "They're very concerned about their futures and here on Long Island they're concerned about property taxes. "Now I've tried to make it clear that the property tax problem is a school tax problem, but the public wants change and that's a message they're saying very, very clearly.''[12]

The guy was full of bull feathers." Mark Herbst, the executive director of the Long Island Contractors Association, said his organization is focusing mostly on dealing with individual legislators, and while he had a good relationship with current Presiding Officer Diane Yatauro, he also has known Peter Schmidt, the presumed incoming presiding officer, for years. "We just want to make sure they are working together in the interest of the taxpayers," Herbst said, adding he is most concerned with Nassau's sewer program and making sure the public works department has enough staff to deal with all the projects in the pipeline. Ryan is predicting dire straits for Suozzi, even if he holds onto his slim lead in the election. "This spells the very public death for Tom Suozzi," Ryan said.[2] All the precincts reported, and Thomas Suozzi, who is a Glen Cove Democrat, is leading over Edward Mangano, who is a Republican from Bethpage, by just 237 votes, according to the Nassau Board of Elections on late Tuesday.[23]

Suozzi highlighted, however, a problem that all Democrats in Nassau County faced. Just after saying he would have done nothing differently, Suozzi noted that '''I wish, to tell you the truth, that more democrats came out to vote.'''[31] The website also gave Republican George Maragos a narrow victory over Democratic incumbent Howard Weitzman for Nassau County Comptroller, 115,473 votes to 114,897.[6] According to the results from the Nassau County website, Toback lost to Republican Howard Kopel 6,654 votes to 5,544 votes.[6]

Pandemonium ensued as''the packed restaurant, next door to Republican Committee headquarters, exploded in cheers and applause and a parade of Republicans marched onto the stage to thank supporters'''and especially Mondello. "It's great to be a Republican in Nassau County tonight,"''boomed the new Nassau Legislature Majority Leader Peter Schmitt, with a smile. "This year they said it was an impossible task," said the victorious Legis.[35] Familiar faces will return to the Nassau County Legislature with the exception of Dave Mejias (14 L.D.) and Jeffrey Toback (7 L.D.). Their losses shift the power back into the hands of Republicans by an 11-8 majority. Presiding Officer Diane Yatauro, though honored to be re-elected to another term as a county legislator, is disheartened by the loss of her party'''s legislative majority.[5] Nassau County residents have voted to change the leadership in the Nassau County Legislature as the Republican caucus has taken the majority of the 19-member Legislature for the first time in a decade.[4] In Nassau, Republicans won back control of the Legislature for the first time in a decade. In Dutchess County, they won surprise victories in six districts, giving them a veto-proof majority. "There is no question that voters sent a message yesterday that when it comes to local government issues they are really upset with taxes," said Steven Greenberg, a spokesman for the Siena College Research Institute.[27]

"The public is in a bad mood," Suozzi explained. "They're not happy about high taxes and they took it out on incumbents." It appears Nassau's next county executive will have to deal with a Republican controlled legislature.[34] None expressed concerns about the County Executive seat or the candidacy of Executive Suozzi, seen as a virtual lock to return for another four-year term. The poor turnout among registered Democrats could be related to a number of factors, including their disenchantment with the Party, a lack of interest in local governance and politics, the absence of an inspiring candidate such as Barack Obama, or a belief that Republicans were unlikely to wrest power from their Party based on a reliance upon inaccurate projections by sources such as Newsday.[8] "Certainly I would rather have seen Suozzi lose," Long said, in hindsight. He said he'd been aware that a number of county committee members had preferred backing Mangano. Hansen was a bona fide registered Conservative, active for years in the party, and Long maintained that he did not wish to second-guess. For his part, Jacobs said, "Nothing takes away from the fact that he is extraordinarily talented and has done a great job - and is currently suffering from dispirited Democrats who didn't come out to support him - and undoubtedly woke up morning very unpleasantly surprised." He added, "The good news is we get to fight again next year." Mondello, in the cheerier climes of Tuesday's GOP gathering in Westbury, was widely quoted as saying: "This is a night to remember."[25] Absentee ballots will probably decide who wins the county's top job for the next four years. Anybody "who says they know what's going to happen in this election doesn't know what they're talking about," Suozzi said during a news conference in his office Wednesday afternoon, estimating 12,000 ballots could still be out there.[14] The Republicans took back the legislature for the first time in 8 years and Suozzi is holding on to a 237 lead (And with 12,000 absentee ballots that still need to be counted, there is a very good chance that Suozzi's career is over, a view echoed by many in New York). The results here aren't as surprising as they are for Westchester, but they are surprising nonetheless.[21] There are still more than 12,000 absentee ballots that have yet to be counted - votes that traditionally swing in the favor of the Republican candidate. "I didn't think the race would be this close," a humbled Tom Suozzi told PIX News.[29] In the narrowest of margins, current County Exec Tom Suozzi has a tiny lead over the challenger with thousands of votes from absentee ballots yet to be counted. Reports indicate that the leader has a lead just over 200 votes over his rival with 16,000 other votes to be counted.[40]

Suozzi is still estimated to be edging out GOP challenger Ed Mangano by less than 250 votes, with about 12,000 absentee ballots expected to be counted on Tuesday.[37] Mangano said the ballots went out 13 days later than required by state law. Both Mangano and Suozzi sent campaign literature to more than 13,000 people who requested absentee ballots. Mangano said he was confident he would win the absentee count because his polls showed that voters supported him after they heard his message, criticizing Suozzi's financial record, Nassau's flawed assessment system and the recently enacted 2.5 percent tax on home heating fuel.[14] A recount of more than 200,000 votes, as well as a canvass of an expected 6,000-7,000 absentee ballots, was expected to begin on Monday and could take at least two weeks before a winner is declared in Nassau, said state Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs. "People in the suburbs are scared and angry and on Tuesday they took out their unhappiness, whether it's with Obama or Paterson or Wall Street, or local Democrats,'' said Lawrence Levy, the head of Hofstra University's National Center on Suburban Studies, which recently conducted a poll on suburban attitudes.[12]

Officials said that about 12,000 absentee ballots were requested, about 9,000 are expected to be received by the deadline date of next Tuesday - and that 6,560 had been received by Wednesday. Of those, officials said that 3,062 were from registered Republicans, 2,507 were from registered Democrats, 723 were from voters who had not declared a party preference and more than 250 were unknown. Those numbers merely reflect a declared party affiliation, officials said - not a vote cast for a candidate or party. Officials on both sides said they also expected more than 1,000 affidavit and emergency ballots to figure into the final equation.[11] Conservative party candidate Steven Hansen is in a distant third with 9,552 votes. While Suozzi holds the slight lead, he cautioned his supporters to hold their victory celebration, saying "it is going to go back and forth and everyone is going to be battling over the absentee ballots, the affidavit ballots, the re-counts. but you know what, we're going to win this thing."[6]

With that razor slim lead and thousands of absentee ballots still to be counted, Suozzi told local Democrats it could take weeks before a winner is determined. "We're not going to know the answer to this race for awhile; but I believe we're going to win," Suozzi said.[34] "I was surprised but not shocked at the election results," Suozzi said, noting the public has shown a strong anti-incumbent attitude throughout the country. "I didn't think the race would be this close." Mangano, who was in his campaign headquarters fielding calls and giving dozens of interviews, said, "I always knew this would be a neck-and-neck race and the absentee ballots would be a factor." That's why, he said, he went to court before the election to force Democratic Elections Commissioner William Biamonte, who, Mangano said, was balking at approving the absentee ballot form, to certify it and send it out.[14] With absentee ballots now being counted, and Suozzi said there '''may be as many as 5,000''', a final result for the election is still a few weeks away. As Suozzi began to address the crowd Tuesday, he poked fun at the one major problem his campaign faced: property tax. With Suozzi hitting the stump all year pointing out the effect of the school tax on the property tax, Suozzi opened up his speech with: '''I'''ve been dying to say this, no matter where I go''' it'''s the school taxes.''' When Suozzi began to talk about the election results, he told the audience to hold off on declaring him a winner. He iterated that " is going to go back and forth and everyone is going to be battling over the absentee ballots, the affidavit ballots, the re-counts. but you know what, we're going to win this thing."[31]

'''I am hopeful I will be leading that change and I thank everyone who supported me in my grassroots campaign and platform to stop wasteful spending, fix the property tax assessment system, stop the energy tax and create local jobs and opportunities.''' In a press conference Nov. 4, Suozzi called the dead-heat race a sign of issues larger than his contest with Mangano, interpreting widespread '''anti-Democrat''' and '''anti-incumbent sentiments''' as a display of frustration with high taxes. '''People are mad as hell about property taxes,''' he said. '''You don'''t see this result in one place. This is going on all over the region. People are unhappy and they take it out on incumbents.'''[5] "I think a lot of people still don't even know who Ed Mangano is. I think the reality is that it's about an anti-incumbent tide that is taking place. this is a referendum on what's going on with property taxes in Nassau County.[29] "Suozzi is more out of touch with the people of Nassau County voter than I suspected. He must not see the people leaving the Island[11] There were stunning upsets in Nassau County, where disenchanted voters were frustrated by a new Home Energy Tax.[26] "The Home Energy Tax that the Democrats enacted in June was the straw that broke the camel's back," Peter Schmitt, Nassau County Legislator and Majority Leader and Presiding Officer-Elect, said.[26] Nassau Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs has just announced that the Nassau County Democrats have lost the majority in the legislature.[32] "We have lost, in my judgment, the majority in the Nassau County Legislature," said Jay Jacobs, chairman of the Nassau Democratic Party.[39]

Nassau County has been decidedly supported the Democratic Party in recent elections.[8]

The hotly contested race for Nassau County Executive has election officials still counting the votes.[40] Town resident John Dumati says, "The race for Nassau County's top seat is not over one day after the election.[40]

Voting machines are sealed, and paper ballots - including absentee, affidavit and emergency ballots - are locked down in the canvass room at Nassau County Board of Election headquarters in Mineola ]] Mineola.[36] County Board of Elections,''' said the Nassau County Board of Elections (BOE) in a statement on Wednesday. Mangano says he would have done the same thing.[37]

Republicans in the Nassau County Legislature said yesterday they would make good on a campaign promise and repeal the recently enacted home energy tax when they take control of the legislature in January.[33] Let's not forget, also, the energy tax, which could not have come at a worse time for Nassau County residents. Suffolk County residents don't have this burden. First order of business should be to repeal this tax.[37]

"We are having a bad night in politics," Jacobs told the audience. He then dropped the bombshell of the night, saying "we have lost, in my judgment, the majority of the Nassau County legislature, as Jeff Toback, unfortunately, did not win this time."[6]

Suozzi predicted that the race would not be over this day, but said it would probably be back and forth, debating for an unknown amount of time. "But you know what? We're gonna win this," said Suozzi to a throng of cheering supporters. He was joined on stage by Nassau Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs and the rest of the County Dems, including Comptroller Howard Weitzman.[41] Tom Suozzi's victory in 2001 also saw the election of a Democratic County Legislature and soon after, the Democratic election of a District Attorney.[21] Legislator Ciotti has been representing the Legislature'''s 3rd District for 14 years. Incumbent Republican Legislator Vincent Muscarella also proved victorious this Election Day in the 8th L.D., besting Democratic challenger Gaspare Tumminello by a 11,005 to 3,154 vote.[5] Incumbent Democratic North Hempstead Town Clerk Leslie Gross proved victorious Election Day, besting her Republican challenger Jon Wicks by a vote of 20,314 to 15,781. Gross, a resident of Manhasset, filled out the unexpired term of Michelle Schimel from April to November 2007, when she was elected to a two-year term as town clerk; the term of office has since been expanded to four years. Since 2007, she attended the''Cornell Municipal Clerks Institute and completed the educational requirements to achieve Certified Municipal Clerk status before the completion of her third year in office.''[5]

Bonilla has served as Town of Hempstead clerk since 2003. He admits that even though he'''s accomplished much in his three terms, he knows there'''s always room for improvement. Bonilla would like to open Town Hall on Saturday (once a month) so that he can make other services available to residents that can'''t be given via the Mobile Town Hall (i.e. birth/death certificates, marriage/hunting licenses, etc.) In the race for North Hempstead Town supervisor, incumbent Democrat Jon Kaiman received 20,333 votes while his challenger, Republican Lee Tu, received 17,600.[5]

In the other significant countywide race, incumbent district attorney Kathleen Rice, a Democrat won easy re-election over Republican challenger Joy Watson.[34]

In the 14th Legislative District, longtime Democrat incumbent David Mejias trails Republican Joseph Belesi by 28 votes. Prior to the election, Republican candidates vowed to repeal the 2.5 percent Home Energy Tax as their first order of business. Now, they will get their chance. '''That wasn'''t political spin. That is reality,''' said Ciotti of repealing the tax.[4] In 1993, for example, Democrat Ben Zwirn had been ahead of then-Republican County Executive Thomas Gulotta in the GOP -controlled county all evening until a final flurry of Republican election district results were reported late, giving Gulotta a slim 4-point lead.[13] Joseph Scannell, a Democrat from Baldwin, had a slight lead over Republican challenger Christian Browne of Rockville Centre with 65 of 66 election districts reported.[39]

Democratic incumbent David L. Mejias of Farmingdale ]] Farmingdale ]] Farmingdale was holding a slight lead in a heated race against Republican challenger Joseph Belesi of Farmingdale.[39]

Suozzi, was simply one of many incumbents who suffered from anti-incumbent fever. At the federal level this doesn't mean much but these results could have state-wide ramifications when considering the fact that the State Senate is divided 31-29 in favor of Democrats and both counties have Democratic Senate seats that Republicans intend on targeting.[21] The State Democratic Committee wrote that Legislator Nicolello was reported to have taken over $260,000 from Nassau schools and his law firm was reportedly under investigation by the FBI, IRS, and New York Attorney General's Office. They accused Republicans of being "scandalous" and "fraudulent" and claimed they would be responsible for "more taxes" and "double-dipping" and would "take your money." They wrote one sentence about the accomplishments of Mayor Sedacca.[10] ALBANY - Voters on Tuesday rejected Democratic county leaders across New York in what appears to be widespread displeasure with the state's high taxes and an anti-incumbent movement, particularly in the suburbs.[27] Nassau'''s $2,622 debt per capita is the highest of New York'''s county governments as is Nassau'''s taxes per capita, which stand at $1,549. (In comparison, Suffolk County'''s is much lower at $759 and $1,198, respectively.)[9]

"Nassau residents better be carful what they wish for, better they should remember the massive Debt and Taxes left after Republicans ran Nassau County like the[33] Over the last six years the taxes in Nassau County have increased 3.9%, meanwhile the taxes in the TOB have increased 41%.[37]

The Grand Ballroom in Uniondale'''s Long Island Marriott is mostly empty, as hotel staff is in the process of turning the room into headquarters for the Nassau County Democrats for the next few hours.[16] Democrats suffered some major losses in county races, particularly in the Hudson Valley and on Long Island.[27] While the Suozzi-Mangano race headlines Long Island's election night, voters were to decide winners in a variety of county, town and city races.[38] When it was our turn to stand and speak, I pledged my allegiance to the American flag in the loudest voice I could muster, as though any reticence would thwart my chances at citizenship. As an American I continue to speak loudly through this column and with my vote, and I was as thrilled on Tuesday to participate in our local elections as I was to be in that courtroom 26 years ago. Unfortunately for Long Island, this past Tuesday, less than a third of us cared enough to weigh in. Low voter turnout was no surprise and all parties recognized this as a benefit to the Republicans.[20]

The Toback loss would have meant the legislature, now 10-9 Democratic, would swing to 10-9 Republican. One of those Republicans, Legis. Denise Ford of Long Beach, is actually a registered Democrat, and sometimes deserted her own GOP colleagues to vote with the Democrats. Grateful Democrats cross-endorsed her this year, as they did in 2007, and she ran unopposed Tuesday. There had been discussions among Democratic insiders about how Ford might be persuaded to desert the GOP on a more permanent basis and move over to the Democratic side of the aisle to keep them in the majority.[42] Peter Schmitt of Massapequa, the current Republican minority leader. Schmitt said he expected to be elected presiding officer next year by his fellow Republicans and take the helm of the 19-member legislature, where Democrats now hold a 10-9 majority. Democrats in the legislature imposed a 2.5 percent sales tax this summer on home energy sources, such as fuel oil, and the tax was a centerpiece of the campaign by Republican candidates, including Legis.[33] The first thing the Republicans plan on doing is repealing a 2.5 percent home heating tax passed by the Legislature and signed by Suozzi in February. That tax was one of the driving forces that led angry voters to the polls against Democrats like Suozzi, Mejias and Toback, said Don Miller, vice president of public relations for the Rockville Centre-based Harrison Leifer DiMarco''Public Relations. "It is now up to the Republicans to govern," Miller said. "They are also looking at scaling back spending and borrowing, and looking at patronage jobs."[2]

With 100 percent of districts reporting, Suozzi holds a slight lead over Republican Ed Mangano, 118,111 votes to 117,874.[31] The ordeal has been a shocking experience, especially to a lawmaker seen as a rising star in the Democratic party. Suozzi declined to comment on what the possibility of being unseated on the county level would have on his political career, however did say that it wasn't that his challenger Ed Mangano ran a better campaign, but instead he became the victim of an overall backlash against the Democratic party. "I don't think this is about Ed Mangano," said Suozzi.[29] Given what the tide is, I'm glad to be doing as well as I am." Suozzi said he was surprised by how tight his race with GOP challenger Edward Mangano turned out to be, adding that the Conservative Party candidate Steve Hansen's presence on the ballot definitely played a role in the contest.[19] Suozzi took 118,111 votes in Tuesday's election, with GOP challenger Edward Mangano coming close with 117,874 votes, a preliminary tally showed.[30]

Mangano said a McLaughlin & Associates poll for the Republicans done nine days before the election put Suozzi at 48 percent and Mangano at 44 percent, with 4 percent undecided - numbers that came close to predicting the election results.[14] Nassau Republican Legis. Ed Mangano (center, red tie) rallies supporters at his campaign headquarters in Bethpage on Election Night.[17] Election officials said the room's two keys are taken to Nassau County police headquarters every night and handed over to police.[36] '''Clearly, the people of Nassau County want to see change in Nassau County government,''' said Mangano.[5] "We need a change, things have been getting very bad in Nassau County," said one woman who voted for Mangano.[3]

Republicans won the county executive seat in Westchester County and control of the legislatures in Dutchess, Ulster and Nassau counties.[27] In a stunning upset, Nassau Republicans regained control of the county legislature for the first time in a decade.[39]

Nassau is still a marginally Republican County who grew into a habit of electing Democrats. Even Barack Obama with the record levels of enthusiasm that he was able to marshal (and Nassau has a sizable minority population) was only able to squeak out a 53%-46% victory over McCain.[21] Westchester County Executive Andy Spano was crushed by Republican candidate Robert Astorino, 58 percent to 42 percent, despite Democrats holding a 2-1 margin over Republicans in the county.[27] Hansen criticized Mangano while offering few ideas on how to improve the county. Verdict (Legislator): Democrats attempted to impugn the character of Legislator Nicolello while ignoring their candidate, while Republicans endorsed their candidate.[10]

Executive Suozzi outspent Legislator Mangano and was already a recognizable political figure in county government. His brother Ralph Suozzi is the Mayor of Glen Cove, a position previously held by Executive Suozzi and his father, Mayor Joseph Suozzi.[8] According to a Newsday/News 12/Siena Research Institute Poll, Executive Suozzi led Legislator Mangano 53-31% less than a month before the November 3 election, even before the newspaper enthusiastically endorsed the incumbent.[8]

Suozzi also noted the difficulties facing Democrats on election night, saying that '''democrats are having a tough time throughout the state and throughout the country''' and that '''it is a bad time to be an incumbent because people are in a bad mood.'''[31] The results are telling as Democrats and Republicans gear up for a historic 2010 election year, in which all state seats will be on the ballot.[27] "The ground shifted in New York State last night," said Larchmont Mayor Liz Feld, a Republican state Senate candidate last year and a leader of the conservative New Yorkers For Growth group.[27] The victories, some groups said, were indicative of a tax revolt in the suburbs. New York has among the highest taxes in the nation, and in the Hudson Valley this year the state added a payroll tax on businesses that are served by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.[27]

All 7/82 seats in the state Legislature will be up for election, as well as all New York seats in Congress. "I think people read too much into one election and its impact on the next election," he said.[27]

From our edge of Long Island to the great states of New Jersey and Virginia, it seems that a political tide is taking a turn and sending a message to Washington. That message is that the people would like to put a hold on the sleight of hand that was once packaged and known as 'change we can believe in.' The Republican victories in the gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia communicated a loud and clear disconnect with the direction the Democratic leadership is attempting to take this country in.[1] White ethnics, often Catholic, whose parents had lived in the city and voted Democratic, were turning to Republicans for lower taxes, strong national security, and traditional family values. Pro-gun-control candidates such as Rep. Carolyn McCarthy from Long Island started picked up seats in the 1990s.[22]

Kate Murray, incumbent Republican candidate for Hempstead Town Supervisor, proved victorious Nov. 3, besting Democratic candidate Kristin McElroy of Garden City by a vote of 82,265 to 44,530. '''I want to thank all the volunteers who worked for my re-election and all the residents who exercised their right to vote,''' Hempstead Town Supervisor Murray said. Murray said her first priority is holding the line on all town taxes for 2010 while continuing a '''full complement of services and programs to town residents.'''[5]

"What a night!" shouted Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray, also a winner. As of this post, Mondello said the heated race for county executive was too close to call.[35] North Hempstead Town Clerk Leslie Gross fended off Jon Wicks 56-percent to 44-percent. Meanwhile over at the County Democratic headquarters in Uniondale, Suozzi was calling for a recount in his own race.[3] At last check, Suozzi - the Democratic incumbent - was up by 237 votes. That by no stretch means he'll stay in charge of the county.[29] In local races, incumbent County Legislator Judi Bosworth (D) was reelected to the Tenth District seat with 7,158 votes over challenger Garry Stark's (R) 4,308.[3] As I congratulate my Republican colleagues on re-taking the legislative majority, I pledge to continue to work towards bringing financial stability to our county government.''' Ever since 1999, when the Republicans lost their majority, incumbent Peter Schmitt (the longtime representative of the 12th legislative district, which includes most of the Massapequa area) has served as minority leader in the legislature.[5] The race that enabled the Republicans to take back the majority of the Legislature occurred in the 7th Legislative District where longtime Democrat incumbent Jeffrey Toback was defeated by Republican Howard Kopel.[4]

Councilman Angelo Ferrara remains the only Republican on the Board, defeating Matthew Palakunnathu 4,503 votes to 2,009. Robert Troiano left his post as Town Councilman for the First District, and was elected to the Nassau Legislature with 74-percent of the vote. Taking his place will be Viviana Russell, who beat out Republican Karin Campbell with a 918-vote margin, 2,989-2,071.[3] Look no further than the Town of Oyster Bay. Even during this down economy, the TOB has a budget SURPLUS and is actively putting the money back into the Town. look no further than the new recreation complex in Hicksvillethe new state of the art ice rink in Bethpage (ironically both communities lie within Mangano's district and he's worked tirelessly with gov't agencies to help the TOB make it happen), etc. yeah the TOB is run by the GOP. So are other Town's in Nassau and Suffolf and they're in fiscal trouble like veryone else. What's the difference? It's the leadership regardless of party affiliation!! It's always the leadership TomalwaysDem or GOP.it's how you do the job.[37]

David''Mejias, in victory. The news was reinforced about a half hour later as Mondello again announced that his party had wrestled control of what had been a one-vote Democratic majority into Republican hands. "This is a night to remember," Mondello told the charged audience.''" We've been waiting for this for a long time."[35] When I complained about an irregularity about the Democrat controlled BOE and thier inexplicable refusal to mail me an absentee ballothe did not even repsond or show any sign of concern. His minions in Hempstead did NOTHING to secure its absentee Republican voter's votes although they were asked several times. Mondello was in collusion with the other side and he probably was genuinely shocked when whatever deal he made with Satan, fell through.[35] With about half the votes counted in Suffolk's 10th District, Republican Thomas Cilmi held a healthy lead over Democrat Patrick Nolan and Conservative Timothy Molnar.[28]

Schmitt said that, "Mr. Suozzi is not in a position to tell us what to do." He said he would repeal the energy tax, and should Suozzi veto it, he would put it up for an override and force Democrats to vote in favor of an unpopular tax that might have brought down some of their colleagues this year.[33] The Dems promised recounts and absentee ballot review. They left the stage with complete results unknown. Just as the room seemed empty for the night, Suozzi announced that he was up 415 votes.[41] Suozzi is ahead of Mangano by 237 votes but there are still numerous absentee ballots that must be counted.[4]

In the 14th Legislative District, incumbent David Mejias opnbrktD-Farmingdaleclsbrkt was behind GOP candidate Joe Belesi by 28 votes, with about 450 absentee ballots to be counted.[37] With 576 votes separating the two candidates, a spokesperson for Weitzman said the final outcome would be determined once all absentee ballots are counted.[5]

Mangano's camp is clearly a lot more optimistic. Besides waiting for all absentee ballots to come in, the board of elections is preparing to do a full recount of every voting machine, which they are allowed 25 days by law to complete.[29]

The relative success of Legislator Mangano and Maragos should serve as an indication that it is important to support your Party and candidates of choice during every election and that, on occasion, the use of the phrase "every vote counts" is highly appropriate.[8] More than likely, the counting - and recounting - of votes will not even begin until next week, election officials said. "We have 25 days after the election to certify a winner," Nassau Board of Elections Democratic deputy Commissioner Eleanor Sciglibaglio said, "and we expect to use every one of those days - especially with a race that is this close, with a race that is this important."[11] Incumbent Republican Maureen O'''Connell bested Democratic challenger Carrie Solages by a vote of 142,774 to 86,482.[5] Democratic incumbent Diane Yatauro of Glen Cove defeated challenger Republican Michael Montesano of Glen Head.[39] Democratic incumbent Wayne H. Wink Jr. of Roslyn defeated challenger Jeffrey M. Losquadro, a Republican from Albertson.[39]

Suozzi was seeking a second term as the leader of the area but was challenged by Republican challenger Ed Mangano.[40] Supervisor Jon Kaiman (D) won a fourth term in the Town of North Hempstead,, handily beating Republican challenger Lee Tu by almost 3,000 votes, 20-333 - 17,600.[3] Republicans also are poised to wrest control of the East Hampton town board from Democrats ]] Democrats after the indictment of the town's top fiscal aide and the resignation of Democratic Supervisor William McGintee.[28]

The defeat came for Democrats when Republican Howard Kopel beat five-term Democrat Jeff Toback in last night's elections, giving the GOP a 10-9 control with several races that remained too close to call.[39] On the night, the Republicans regained a majority in the legislature, beating out the Democrats by one seat, 10 to 9.[6] Nassau's Democratic chairman conceded late Tuesday night that the GOP has regained a majority in the 19 seat legislature.[34]

We feel we changed the face of the Nassau County Legislature by electing Howard Kopel," said Connie Petrucci, a member of the Green Bay Parkers.[33] Last but not the least, for Comptroller Nassau County, George Maragos of'' GOP'' got 115,473 which is around 50 percent and Howard Weitzman of Dem (i) got 114,897 which is also around 50 percent(rounded off).[24] '''Nothing.''' Nassau County Chairman Jay Jacobs is hoping he won'''t have any glitches tonight as the power in Nassau County could make a massive shift with just one GOP victory.[16] Yatauro continued, '''We in Nassau County had to make some tough and, in some cases, unpopular decisions to keep our county solvent.''[5] "Surprised? geez. did he really think the residents of nassau county were happy? doesnt anyone realize that he tried to leave our county in the dust[11]

For County Clerk Nassau,'' Maureen O'''Connell of'' GOP (i) got 142,774 precincts which is equal to 62 percent and Carrie Solages of Dem got 86,482 precincts which is around 38 percent.[24]

Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano, who turned back a challenge from Republican Rob Astorino by 16 points four years ago, lost a bid for a fourth term by the same margin on Tuesday.[12] The county executive seemed to be in good spirits, considering the circumstances. He said he considers himself "luckier than a lot of incumbents," noting the outright losses of other Democrats like the governors of Virginia and New Jersey and Westchester County Executive Andy Spano.[19]

Edward Mangano of Bethpage, the party's nominee for county executive.[33] Conservative county chairman Roger Bogsted, who's also Suozzi's consumer affairs commissioner, backed Steve Hansen as nominee for county executive.[25] Now the finger-pointing has begun, with some Democrats saying the county organization took too many resources away from other races to defend Scannell.[43] Unlike the New York City mayoral, or the Virginia governor's race, there is a really bad sign for Democrats out of the East Coast.[22] Dede Scozzafava (R-Gouverneur), dropped out of the race on Saturday and endorsed Owens. Voters in New Jersey ousted Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine and replaced him with GOP challenger Chris Christie, a former federal prosecutor, according to The Associated Press.[38] Ninth District Legislator Richard Nicolello (R) defeated challenger Dolores Sedacca (D)9,095 - 4,148 votes. "I know him better," was an elderly woman's statement when asked why she voted for Nicolello in his hometown of New Hyde Park.[3] Republican incumbent Richard J. Nicolello of New Hyde Park defeated challenger Dolores D. Sedacca, former mayor or the Village of East Williston.[39] Democrat incumbent David W. Denenberg defeated challenger Fred J. Jones, a Republican from Merrick.[39] Incumbent Democrat Jeffrey Toback of Oceanside ran lost to challenger Howard J. Kopel, a Republican from Lawrence.[39] Incumbent Republican Dennis Dunne Sr. of Levittown defeated challenger Democrat Glenn L. Stephenson of Seaford.[39] Republican incumbent Vincent T. Muscarella of West Hempstead defeated challenger Gaspare Tumminello, a Democrat from Franklin Square.[39]

As of press time, it appears as though incumbent Democrat Howard Weitzman will relinquish his power to Republican opponent George Maragos, who received 115,473 to Weitzman'''s 114,897.[5] I've lived there since 1995, and besides John Spencer who was the mayor of Yonkers, and the current mayor of White Plains who is also Republican Westchester has been firmly in the hands of Democrats for a long time.[21]

According to the mailings, Mangano "voted with the Republican machine 13,138 times - out of 13,138 - including against tax relief and to raise property taxes."[10] We have to do something about the school taxes, and if I have to be defeated in order for that to happen, then at least a good result will come that people will recognize that something has to be done about the property tax burden." Suozzi refused to address speculation that his statewide ambitions have been dealt a fatal blow - even if he does manage to eke out a victory and hold on to his local post. He dismissed such speculation as "silly."[19] "You have to take into consideration that there's a new political party out there, the party of ticked off property owners," Ryan said. "Suozzi talked a great game for eight years, talking property taxes, property taxes, property taxes, but in reality he did nothing.[2] Given what the tide is, I'm glad to be doing as well as I am," Suozzi said. He cited voters' anti-incumbent sentiment and anger over property taxes as reasons for his razor-thin lead.[30]

With 100 percent of the precincts now reported, Suozzi holds an unofficial lead over Mangano with 118,111 votes to 117,874.[6] Throughout the course of the night, Suozzi and Mangano had been jockeying for first, with leads changing several times.[3] Absent for the beginning of the night, Suozzi hit the stage to a standing ovation. When he came on stage, Suozzi held a narrow margin over Mangano, and by the end of the night he watched his numbers increase almost 300 votes.[6] A clear victory by Mangano was probably eradicated by Conservative candidate Steve Hansen, who stole enough votes to keep Suozzi ahead.[37] There was some evidence in the returns of a sizable partisan crossover vote from Mangano to Rice. Asked about the common thinking that Suozzi can now forget about 2010, Jacobs said, "The common thinking the day before yesterday was that he'd be swept to a great victory. My sense of it is, it's a little early.[25]

The most unfortunate lesson is that neither fire nor ice was enough to motivate nearly 72 percent of the eligible voters on Long Island. My guess is that those who stood with the 10-year-old boy, 26 years ago, and the thousands who stood there before and after that day, exercised their right.[20] Districts have seen lower than expected turnout, with poll participation reaching only 28 percent of the population, the lowest in years. The low turnout had Democrats worried, prompting them to turn to the streets in an attempt to mobilize voters.[16]

Of the 6,560 received, 3,062 were from registered Republicans, 2,507 were from registered Democrats, 723 were from voters who did not declare a party affiliation, and 250 were unknown.[8] Bloomberg, an Independent candidate running on the Republican and Independence Party lines, defeated Democrat William Thompson, the city comptroller, though the margin was far less than anticipated.[28]

Republican candidate Rose Marie Walker of Hicksville defeated Democratic challenger Arshad Majid of Farmingdale.[39] The crowd at Mirelle's Restaurant in Westbury erupted in applause as Mondello raised the arms of Republican Howard Kopel, the challenger to Democratic Legis.[35]

Each affidavit ballot will be inspected by teams of lawyers from the Republican and Democratic parties, and either side may challenge the vote's validity.[11] Incumbent Republican Hempstead Town Clerk Mark Bonilla received 79,772 votes while his opponent Anthony Rattoballi, a Garden City resident, received 42,951 votes.[5] We were reminded that by nature Democrats and Republicans are fire and ice, respectively. Democrats need a fire lit beneath them to get out the vote, whereas Republicans and Conservatives are predictably obsequious.[20] Were Tuesday'''s off-off-year elections a referendum on President Obama and the Democrats, or just a low-turnout event in which a few Republicans got lucky? We turn to Howard Dean and Ed Rollins for answers.[18] Next door in New Jersey, the dynamic is similar, with largely minority cities such as Camden and Newark supporting Democrats and outlying areas of Western and South Jersey leaning towards the GOP. As Andrew notes, crucial swing suburban counties went Republican on Tuesday.[22] The new Republican majority won't even be seated until January, but already plans are in the works to repeal an unpopular tax.[26] Ryan said that Republicans will also find a way to fix the county's broken tax assessment system.[2]

"How come when it comes to county taxes people are so concern but when it's time for the school budget vote the same people vote "yes"[28] "This comment proves how out of touch Suozzi really is. Does he really think people are happy watching their taxes go up every year, while[11] Suozzi'''s $2.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2009 included a property tax rate hike and a 2.5 percent home heating tax.[9] Residential property values have plummeted, the commercial real estate market has cratered, retail sales and services have been devastated by Wall Street layoffs, and retail store vacancies have hit all-time highs. These economic woes have severely impaired Nassau'''s operating budget. Instead of announcing that the '''Days of Wine of Roses''' were over, Suozzi called for more vino, merely put his finger in the fiscal dike and sanctioned budgetary abuses and tax increases.[9]

More likely the 21st century version of Tom Gulotta, who set the table for Nassau's destruction. Good looks only go so farespecially when the voters figure out their elected officials have their hands knee & ankle deep into their pockets. Suozzi is an aging and balding boy wonder whose future is behind him. He talked but never took on the unions or spending or confronting the real issues.[9] Good riddance. The Debate Room '' Marlin: Suozzi'''s Nassau Miracle, R.I.P. libn.com/thedebateroom/2009/11/04/marlin-suozzi%E2%80%99s-nassau-miracle-rip - view page - cached Tom Suozzi may have been re-elected but if so, it was by the skin of his teeth.[9] "Lets stop blaming Tom Gulotta. It is so nuts that you continue to blame a man that is not in office and Tom Suozzi is[14] Tom Suozzi you cut back on police services, narcotics teams, and special patrols.[37]

Later on, Suozzi congratulated the Republicans on winning the legislature, saying that '''they have to govern now: it can'''t be based on scare tactics, it can'''t be based on fear, it has to be based on ideas.''' Talking to the media, Suozzi was still very positive about his campaign. When asked if there was anything he would have done differently, he said '''no, I can'''t really think of anything we would do differently.''' [31] "While Newsday continued writing that Suozzi never raised taxes, every Nassau homeowner knew this lie was right out of Suozzi's press releases and ad pieces[15] The Nassau Dems are reeling from the loss of the Legislative Majority. Although Mejias''' race is still undecided, incumbent Jeff Toback lost to Howard Kopel, flipping the 10-9 majority to the GOP. Sources said that while current Minority Leader Peter Schmitt (R-Massapequa), who handily beat his opponent, may not take the leadership reigns when the power shifts.[37] Nassau 1, you are so right. He has the temerity to stand up there and gloat as if all this was orchestrated by him The fact is, is that he sold Joy Watson, Ed Mangano, and other candidates down the river.[35] Hansen drew less of a percentage than Bogsted was said to be aiming for - but apparently cut into Mangano's total. Long said he didn't know all the particulars; his county organizations have more autonomy than in the state's other standing political parties.[25] "Long island is run like crap anyway. we dont need all these towns on top of the county. they need to either make[11] The county also relies on sales tax revenue, the Town does not, and due to the downturn in the national economy sales tax revenue is off.[37] Then there are the overly optimistic revenue projections that are not being met: The county sales tax revenue, which accounts for 40 percent of total budget revenue, has been revised downward by $75 million and could be off an additional $40 million.[9]

We will continue to persevere and we will continue to represent the values and principals of the Democratic Party," Jacobs said. Kopel, 58, who opposed any further tax increases, campaigned on the promise that he would work to repeal the 2.5 percent sales tax recently imposed on home heating fuel.[39]

Good sign for Americans: ACORN/SEIU will be closely watched from now on and splintering into other voter fraud raketeering groups will not work! (We are so on to you!). Newsweek, like other news outlets, are ignoring the Tea Party effect of the election! Ignoring the fumagation of ACORN/SEIU and their influences being greatly subdued. [22] The election shows Democrates need ACORN/SEIU working the voter fraud system at a fast pace,and can not have Americans voicing themselves at Tea Partys in a way the news media can't spin.[22]

Brian Beedenbender (D- Centereach ) trails former police union official Thomas Muratore, a Republican, by 2 percentage points with only one election district left to be counted. [38] Jeff Toback (D- Oceanside ) badly trailing Republican Howard Kopel of Lawrence ]] Lawrence with only one election district left to be counted.[38]

John J. Ciotti, a Republican from North Valley Stream ]] Valley Stream ]] Valley Stream, defeated challenger Nina Petraro Bastardi, a Democrat from Valley Stream. [39] For eight years the Republican Party strongly and stubbornly supported everything the Bush Administration did as it totally placated and patronized Special Interests and a select few, done with an in-your-face arrogance. Together they irresponsibly and unconscionably encouraged the dishonesty, self-indulgence and neglect that literally contributed to bringing down most systems in this country. The Bush Presidency unapologetically passed a gargantuan mess on to the Obama Presidency and the Republican Party then just attempted to block/obstruct, without any regard for other than their own interests, all efforts to solve problems. Without ever contributing anything positive or constructive they now aggressively criticize the Obama Administration for not totally turning things around in just ten months.[22]

"There is always a majority, there is no 50/50. so you want opposing views but won't vote republican. you are a true MORON THINKER300. maybe change[39] The 237 vote edge represented less than.01% of votes cast, and the election will be decided by absentee, affidavit, and emergency ballots.[8] The two contenders traded the lead back and forth throughout the night as elections officials counted votes.[38] Does anyone know what is up with the Mejias/Belesi race in District 14? I see a 28 vote Belesi lead, but no winner declared.[37] Democrat Bill Owens leads Conservative Douglas Hoffmann by four percentage points with two-thirds of the vote counted.[28]

Nassau Democrats also appeared to lose control of the Legislature, with Legis.[38] Or, if the Dems reclaim a seat on the Nassau Legislature, the party would be even further entrenched as the rulers of Nassau.[16]

A chorus of commentators called it good karma for state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo - a Rice ally and no big pal of Suozzi. [25] With dozens of absentee ballots left to be counted, and the potential for a protracted recount with a number of voting machines reportedly impounded, it could potentially be weeks or even months until the contest is certified. One Democrat was overheard summing up the situation as "it's hanging chads all over again."[3]

SOURCES

1. 5TJT.com - Jewish news, Jewish Classifieds, Jewish Videos.
2. Republicans switch agenda in Nassau
3. Nassau Republicans Win Big In 2009 Election | www.gcnews.com | Garden City News
4. Change in Power in Nassau County
5. Voters Bring About Power Shift In Nassau County Legislature
6. Supporters, Staffers of Nassau County Democratic Party Celebrate, Wallow, and Wait on Election Night
7. Nassau County DA Rice Re-Elected; Focused on Gun Control, Combating Heroin
8. A rare occasion when every vote may truly make a difference
9. The Debate Room » Marlin: Suozzi'''s Nassau Miracle, R.I.P.
10. A review of mailings sent by candidates running for elected office in Nassau County, NY in 2009
11. Suozzi: 'Surprised' by tight race with Mangano
12. 1010WINS.com'' - Nassau Executive Race May Take Weeks to Decide
13. Nassau's no stranger to late election result changes
14. Suozzi and Mangano locked in political showdown
15. Analysis: Taxpayer rage buoys Mangano, hurts Suozzi
16. Dem Chairman Jacobs Unsure About Election Night | Long Island Press | News, Long Island, Local News, Breaking News
17. Nassau County Executive Race Nears End | Long Island Press | News, Long Island, Local News, Breaking News
18. Editorial: Suozzi slammed
19. The Daily Politics - NY Daily News
20. Shut Up And Vote | Long Island Press | News, Long Island, Local News, Breaking News
21. Republicans make significant inroads in NYC suburbs | Gather
22. The Actual Bad Sign for Democrats From Tuesday - The Gaggle Blog - Newsweek.com
23. Nassau election county results 2009
24. The Nassau County Election Results are out! | Newspost Online
25. For local power brokers, Tuesday a night to remember
26. Energy Tax Takes Center Stage In Tight Race For Nassau County Executive - wcbstv.com
27. GOP: Anti-tax fervor doomed Dems | LoHud.com | The Journal News
28. Suozzi holds 237-vote lead over Mangano
29. Suozzi, Mangano Fight For Nassau County Executive Too Close To Call - WPIX
30. Tom Suozzi's Nassau race still too close to call in county executive race
31. Nassau County Executive Race too Close to Call, Suozzi Remains Optimistic yet Cautious
32. Nassau Dems Defeated | Long Island Press | News, Long Island, Local News, Breaking News
33. Nassau Republicans promise to repeal home energy tax
34. Suozzi Sweats One Out | NBC New York
35. Mondello: Republicans Control Nassau Legis. | Long Island Press | News, Long Island, Local News, Breaking News
36. Suozzi-Mangano recount likely to start Monday
37. Suozzi Leads Mangano, Recount Next Week | Long Island Press | News, Long Island, Local News, Breaking News
38. Suozzi has slight lead over Mangano
39. Nassau Republicans take back legislature
40. PressZoom.com - Global News Service - News and Press Release Distribution
41. Suozzi Race Too Close To Call | Long Island Press | News, Long Island, Local News, Breaking News
42. The Ford scenario in Nassau
43. Missing the wave in Nassau

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