By Dan Israeli and John O'Connell
Ford amassed a total of 9,859 votes, running on the Republican, Democratic, Independent, Conservative and Working Family ticket lines. She was the only candidate in all 19 legislative districts to run unopposed.
Ford celebrated her victory along with the Long Beach Republican Party on election night, her original party and the first to endorse her in this year's election. "It's been a busy day, making phone calls and reaching out to people," Ford said.
Ford will continue to sit with the Republican caucus on the county board, which may or not be in the minority depending on the outcome of the 14th district, still undetermined as of Wednesday morning. Ford was still confident of going forward with the board no matter what the final party breakdown is.
"I work well with both sides," she said. "What we all want is a government that will work well together. The people have spoken, it's time to move forward."
With the upcoming session approaching, Ford said that there are many important issues at the forefront for Nassau County. She discussed bringing new industry to the county in the form of film production, which she said could bring in a lot of positive revenue.
Other pertinent issues included the affordable housing crisis in Nassau and the broad implications of homeowner's insurance policies being dropped in coastal areas.
A tense Election Day for candidates and supporters of both parties ended Tuesday night with Democrats declaring a continuation of the status quo in the Nassau County Legislature, a 10-9 Democratic majority, but with Republicans saying the 14th L.D. race between David Mejias and Joseph Belesi was too close to concede. All incumbents on the Town Council were returned.
Democratic incumbent Jeff Toback defeated Republican Howard Kopel, collecting 4,698 votes - 53 percent of the total number cast - to Kopel's 4,107, with 97 percent of election districts reporting.
"I'm grateful to the voters of the 7th District for sending me back for a fifth term," Toback said. "I never get tired of winning. We have a lot of work to do in the county over the next two years, and I know that I'm up to the challenge."
Incumbent Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray trounced Democratic challenger Kevin Gorman, 67 percent to 33 percent, with 70 percent of election districts reporting late Tuesday night.
The town councilman in the Five Towns' 3rd Council District, Republican James Darcy, defeated his challenger, Democrat Gary Carlton. Carlton, a Democratic zone leader and a member of the North Woodmere Parks Foundation, said Tuesday night that he would continue in those jobs. "We're already gearing up to petition for Hillary Clinton," Carlton said. Of his loss, he added, "I think any kind of low turnout in a local election is going to favor the Republicans because so many of them are tied to the Town of Hempstead and are going to come out and vote."
Tuesday night, Democrats celebrated what they believed was their successful defense of their one-vote majority in the Legislature. "I have never lost faith in the people of Nassau County," said Democrat Judy Jacobs, the Legislature's presiding officer. "The people of Nassau County believe the truth and see through the lies."
But town Republicans were celebrating as well. "The numbers are stellar," Murray said, "not only for myself, but for all of the council members. Our residents have shown by voting today that ... they are very satisfied with the services we provide."
Several Herald staffers contributed to this story. Comments about it? joconnell@liherald.com.
