ELECTION 2019

Mulé, Abrahams and Rhoads retain legislative seats

Carini defeats Webster in 5th Council District

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Debra Mulé
Debra Mulé

Incumbent Nassau County Legislator Debra Mulé defeated newcomer Daniel Salamone Tuesday night to serve another term in the fifth legislative district, which includes Baldwin and Freeport. Mulé, a Democrat from Freeport, garnered 7,924 votes while Republican challenger Salamone earned 4,090 at press time Tuesday.

“I’m excited about my second term,” Mulé said. “I will continue to do the work that I have been doing. I’m especially excited about seeing the Baldwin downtown projects come to fruition.”

Voters also elected incumbent Democrat Nassau County Legislator Kevan Abrahams in the first legislative district. He defeated his opponent, Republican newcomer Cherice Vanderhall, with 7,995 votes to her 1,352.

“I’m humbled by the turnout in legislative district one,” Abrahams said. “I’m thankful that they entrusted me with another two years to represent them.” Abrahams said he intends to focus on pursuing the Nassau County Hub, curtailing the opioid crisis and addressing infrastructure needs.

Following Erin King Sweeney’s surprise withdrawal from the Town Board race in September, Christopher Carini, a Republican from Seaford, announced his campaign for the 5th Council District. On Tuesday, he earned that seat over fellow first-time candidate Lora Webster, a Democrat from Point Lookout.

“Essentially, we were given six weeks to do a six-month election,” Carini said. “Six weeks — that is a testament to everybody out here who was a part of that. I am so proud to be working for Don Clavin January 1. I walked away from my career to do this — it means a lot.”

Incumbent Steve Rhoads, a Republican from Bellmore, was reelected to his third term as Nassau County Legislator for the 19th District, besting first-time candidate Jill Levine, a Democrat from Merrick, by a margin of 3,000 votes.

“I think the message we have this year is the message that resonates — we are fighting to spend taxpayer dollars in a responsible way,” Rhoads said of his party. “What we’ve seen today is a resurgence of good, responsible government.”

Despite the loss, Levine took great pride in the campaign she ran.

“I don’t think there’s anything we could’ve done that we didn’t do,” she said.