By Brian Zanzonico
By picking up another seat, the state Democrats whittled the Republican majority in the state Senate to 33-29.
In a district where registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans by about 6,300, Johnson won by more than 3,500 votes.
"For more than 30 years, every Senate seat on Long Island has been held by Republicans," Johnson said in his victory speech at Leonard's of Great Neck. "For 100 years, this seat has been held by Republicans. Today we bid those years farewell and begin a new century."
The next regular election for state Senate is next year. In the meantime, County Executive Tom Suozzi is expected to announce a special election for the now-vacant county Legislature seat in the 11th Legislative District that covers the Town of North Hempstead from Sands Point to Garden City Park, a decidedly Democratic area. The vacancy gives Republicans 9 seats and the Democrats 9 seats in the county Legislature
O'Connell, who previously served in the state Assembly, is the county clerk. She could not be reached for comment.
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