Solages defeats Ciotti; Scannell beats Browne; Ford bests Tangney; Kopel re-elected — but who will be in the majority?

Democrat Carrie Solages of Elmont defeated Republican incumbent John Ciotti in a race that — if all other county Legislative seats remain in incumbents’ hands — would lessen the GOP’s control in the Legislature by one vote, giving the Republicans a 10-9 majority.

But on Wednesday, the balance of power in the Legislature was still in doubt, with races too close to call in the 14th and 18th L.D.s. Absentee ballot counting, recounts and court challenges may be needed to determine how many seats each party will hold when it's time to sear in. Absent the certainty of official numbers, Republicans said they were nonetheless confident they'll retain the control, while Democrats expressed an educated hope they will prevail.  

With 100 percent of precincts reporting, the 5th L.D.’s candidates, incumbent Democrat Joe Scannell defeated Republican challenger Christian Browne, 53.5 percent to Browne's 46.5 percent. Scannell declared victory early Wednesday morning.

Republican incumbent Denise Ford took 54 percent of the vote against Democrat Darlene Tangney in the county’s Fourth Legislative District.