Local incumbents keep their seats

The anticipated nationwide wave to oust incumbents didn’t make it all the way to the South Shore this Election Day, as most current office holders — both Democrats and Republicans — retained their seats.

In unofficial results from the Board of Elections, U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-Mineola) defeated Republican challenger Francis X. Becker of Lynbrook in the 4th Congressional District race; state Senate Minority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) beat George Sava (D-Woodmere) in the 9th Senatorial District; Sen. Kemp Hannon (R-Garden City) trounced Democrat Francesca Carlow in the 9th S.D.; and Hempstead Democratic incumbent Assemblywoman Earlene Hooper trumped her GOP challenger, Derek Partee, in a landslide.

Two Republican newcomers took over the Assembly seats of Bob Barra and Tom Alfano, who both announced earlier this year that they would not seek re-election. Lynbrook Mayor Brian Curran defeated Democrat Dermond Thomas, of Valley Stream, in the 14th A.D., which includes Lakeview and Malverne. Ed Ra, a Republic of Franklin Square and son of Hempstead Town Attorney Joe Ra, narrowly beat Elmont native Patrick Nicolosi in the 21st A.D., which includes West Hempstead.

Skelos easily defeated political-newcomer Sava. If the Republicans retake the State Senate — an outcome that seems more likely as official results start to trickle in — then Skelos will reclaim his briefly held title of Majority Leader.

“What a difference two years makes,” Skelos said. “Right here on Long Island … the nine Long Island Republicans are back.”

Hannon, among those nine, said the Republicans’ victory is a good sign.

“It’s an indication that what we perceive: that taxes, jobs and the economy being foremost on people’s minds was on people’s minds,” Hannon said, “and we had to address it. Success will be my persuading my counterparts in the Assembly, who look like they’ll be Democrats, to go along with what we want to do for cutting and spending.”