Wednesday, November 4, 2026
The 2026 midterm election polls closed at 9 p.m on Nov. 3. As of midnight, the unofficial results project a blue wave combining incumbent victories with unexpected upsets. A string of political positions with impactful ties to Long Beach and the South Shore were on the ballot.
4th Legislative District
Republican Patrick Mullaney secured a third term as Nassau County Legislator representing District 4 — incorporating Long Beach, Lido Beach, Point Lookout, East Atlantic Beach, Oceanside and Island Park. Mullaney earned the victory with roughly 55 percent of the vote over first-time candidate Michael Pentola.
Mullaney’s campaign focused on supporting the local economy with robust business growth, developing infrastructure and maintaining open communication with the residents of District 4. “I want my constituent base to know that I'm here. 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Mullaney previously told the Herald. “Call, text, email. Let people have my cell phone. That's my number one job: Just to listen.”
4th Congressional District
U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen, a Democrat, won re-election to a second term to represent New York’s 4th Congressional District, defeating Republican challenger Jeanine Driscoll, with support from more than 56 percent of voters. The political seat has been decided by narrower margins in recent elections. In 2022, Republican Anthony D’Esposito defeated Gillen with nearly 53 percent of the vote; In 2024, Gillen flipped the seat after winning over 51 percent of voters.
“In this election, Democrats, Republicans and independent voters chose common sense over chaos,” Gillen said. “They agreed that we have to focus on solving the problems that working families face, and not making their lives harder and more expensive each day.” Gillen campaigned on lowering costs for Long Island families, improving infrastructure and public safety, and continuing to work across party lines to deliver federal resources to her district.
Town of Hempstead supervisor
In one of the election season’s most significant results, Democrat Joe Scianablo defeated Republican incumbent John Ferretti in the race for Town of Hempstead supervisor, securing nearly 53 percent of resident support. “This was the voters deciding that enough is enough. They're sick and tired of the nonsense that's going on in the Town of Hempstead,” Scianablo said. “They're sick and tired of political favoritism, the lack of transparency. We're going to bring a town government that's worthy of the people that it represents.”
Scianablo is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, former New York City police officer and attorney. His campaign focused on reducing wasteful spending, improving government transparency, investing in infrastructure and addressing housing affordability while preserving neighborhood character.
Town of Hempstead clerk
Democrat Joylette Williams defeated Republican incumbent Kate Murray to become the next Town of Hempstead clerk.
Williams, an English professor at Nassau Community College, campaigned on modernizing access to town services, improving transparency in public records requests and ensuring residents across all communities receive equal access to government services.
State Senate District 9
Democrat candidate Lisa “Malkie” Vider, a Hewlett resident and health care administrator, earned close to 52 percent of votes to defeat Republican incumbent Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick in Senate District 9, while campaigning on health care, affordability, public safety and antisemitism.
“I'm a little bit in shock, surprised, but really happy to get started and bring back the funding to our beautiful, beautiful, beautiful county,” Vider said. “Honestly, part of it, we have to bring back the funding here. Healthcare is a big topic for me, and I need to fight the hate of anti-Semitism.”
State Assembly District 20
Republican Assemblyman Ari Brown clinched a re-election in Assembly District 20, challenged by Democrat Meir Fischer, while campaigning on public safety, affordability, healthcare and antisemitism. Brown’s victory came by way of nearly 60 percent of the vote.
“As the only yarmulke-wearing Republican ever elected in state history, my perspective is very different,” Brown said. “We see such a rise on anti-Semitism, I'm obligated to stand up because no one else is. So, me going back, it just enhanced how great Long Island is for all and for the suburban way of life.”
Governor
Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul won re-election to a second term, securing roughly 60 percent of the vote over Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman, the current Nassau County executive. The victory included support from nearly 51 percent of Nassau County voters.
Hochul, who was also endorsed by the Working Families party, campaigned on lowering household costs, expanding affordable housing and child care, strengthening public safety and opposing President Donald Trump’s federal policies.
