By:Scott Brinton, Nick Buglione and Angela Marshall
In the 8th Senate District, Sen. Charles Fuschillo Jr., a Republican of Merrick, handily defeated Democrat John Lewis, also of Merrick. With more than 70 percent of precincts reporting, Fuschillo took 65 percent of the vote.
Sen. Kemp Hannon, a Republican of Garden City, staved off a challenge by Democrat Charles Ferzola. Hannon, who covers a small part of North Merrick, grabbed 56 percent of the vote.
In the race for the 17th Assembly District, incumbent Republican Maureen O'Connell, an attorney and former nurse, beat Anthony Pellegrino, of North Merrick, a retired school principal and Democratic committeeman.
O'Connell, who took more than 60 percent of the vote, said, "The work I do all year pays off. I think people appreciate that although you're in Albany half the year, you do work hard, and you are present and visible in the community."
Democrat Earlene Hooper, who has served as a state assemblywoman in the 18th District since 1988, defeated Republican Max Rodriguez. Hooper covers a small section of south Merrick.
In the 19th Assembly District, incumbent Republican David McDonough, a former president of the Merrick Chamber of Commerce, won re-election, defeating Democratic challenger Jay Breakstone, an attorney who is president of the Bellmore Elementary Board of Education. McDonough took 65 percent of the vote.
In the federal races, U.S. Rep. Peter King, a Republican of Seaford, and Rep. Carolyn Mc-Carthy, a Democrat of Mineola, won re-election, as did U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, a Democrat.
Nassau County's $50 million environmental bond proposal passed with more than 70 percent of the vote. The bond will add $7 to the average property tax bill and will go to preserve green spaces.
