Wednesday, November 4, 2026
While the midterms saw a blue wave crash across the country, it was a purple tide that hit the North Shore, with a mix of Republicans and Democrats winning their congressional, state and local races. Voters across Long Island headed to the polls at a critical time in the country, with affordability, international relations and other historic issues at the forefronts of voters minds.
All results remain unofficial pending the counting of outstanding ballots and certification by election officials.
Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, handily defeated her challenger, Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, by 61 to 48 percent as of midnight on Tuesday.
In the race for New York's 3rd Congressional District, Democrat Tom Suozzi won re-election by 57% to 43%, defeating his Republican challenger, former Assemblyman Mike LiPetri, and securing another term representing Nassau County and parts of Queens.
Suozzi, who narrowly defeated LiPetri in the 2024 race as well, ran a campaign focused on affordability, immigration and bipartisanship, crediting district residents’ disaffection with the country’s direction as the root of his victory.
“Because of all of you, we kicked their ass,” Suozzi crowed during his victory speech Tuesday night. “We won because the people like you, people in this district, much like the people all over the United States of America, they’re sick and tired of the attacks and negativity. They’re sick and tired of the blame game.”
In the Town of Oyster Bay, Republican Supervisor Joseph Saladino retained his seat by 62 to 38 percent, defeating Democratic challenger James Hoyle. Saladino's victory continues his tenure leading the town government, which began in 2017.
“(This win) means that we have been doing what our residents have asked for, and that we are in sync with them,” Saladino said in an interview Tuesday night. “I am very appreciative and proud to continue the efforts in the leadership in the Town of Oyster Bay.”
In the race for New York's 7th State Senate District, Republican Jake Blumencranz defeated Democrat Rory Lancman 52 to 48 percent, winning the seat previously held by Republican Jack Martins. Blumencranz, who currently represents the 15th Assembly District, campaigned on continuing his work in state government and representing communities across northwestern Nassau County.
The Assembly races also produced victories for two candidates seeking to represent North Shore residents. Democrat Chuck Lavine won the 13th Assembly District by 60 to 40 percent, while Republican Paolo Pironi defeated Democrat Dean Tarulli in the 15th District by 53 to 47 percent, filling Blumencranz' former seat.
“I don’t like to refer to this as a blue wave,” Lavine said on election night. “To me, this is a red, white and blue wave.”
In Nassau County's 18th Legislative District, Republican incumbent Samantha Goetz has won her second re-election, defeating Democratic challenger Graham Musynske by 60 to 40 percent. Goetz's victory gives her a third term representing residents in the district, where affordability, public safety and county spending have been among the issues facing voters.
Back in Oyster Bay, Republican Richard LaMarca won re-election as town clerk, defeating Democratic challenger Shreya Gupta 60 to 40 percent. LaMarca's victory maintains Republican control of the town clerk's office.
Additional reporting Julia Capitelli
