Republicans strengthen majority in Legislature

Nassau County Republicans not only retained the majority in the Legislature on Tuesday night, but picked up one additional seat. With 99 percent of Nassau County’s precincts counted, Republican legislators had a strong hold on 11 of 19 Legislative seats.

Republican incumbents Denise Ford, Francis Becker, Howard Kopel, Vincent Muscarella, Richard Nicolello, Michael Venditto, Norma Gonsalves, Dennis Dunne and Rose Marie Walker led their respective district races by decisive margins.

Republican Laura Schaefer ran unopposed in the 14th District. Donald McKenzie defeated Democrat Dave Gugerty by more than 2,000 votes to win the 18th District seat.

Democratic incumbents Kevan Abrahams, Robert Troiano, Carrie Solages, Judith Jacobs and Dave Denenberg were also poised to retain their seats.

In the 11th District, Democrat Delia Deriggi Whitton led Republican challenger John DiMascio by 1,000 votes. Deriggi Whitton was elected to the 18th Legislative District in 2011, but was redistricted into District 11, a seat formerly held by Democrat Wayne Wink.

The 5th District, formerly held by longtime Democratic legislator Joseph Scannell, remained in Democratic hands as Laura Curran led Republican Debra Pugliese by approximately 1,700 votes.

Democrat Ellen Birnbaum led Republican challenger Jane Centrella in the 10th District by more than 3,000 votes. The seat was formerly held by Democrat Judi Bosworth, who ran victoriously for Town of North Hempstead Supervisor.