By:John C. O'Connell and Keith Grant
There never was a primary like this one. First there was the campaign, then primary day, then horrific mass murders by America's enemies, and then another primary day.
For all the Democrats who thought Assemblyman Tom DiNapoli's grace, powerful endorsements, legislative accomplishments and party leadership would win the primary day in the county executive race, there were more who thought Tom Suozzi's charm, mayoral experience and Glen Cove achievements had earned him their votes.
Unofficial counts reported by the Board of Elections as of Wednesday morning showed that Suozzi won 36,796 votes (almost 54 percent) to DiNapoli's 31,719 (46 percent). In Long Beach, whose local party leaders had endorsed DiNapoli, Suozzi came away a winner, 2,011 to 1,892.
Democrats, after all, had a happy choice. Elect a strong, long-experienced legislator who knows all the state and county players and has the respect of important officials in both parties, or go with a bright and confident north-shore star with undeniable small-city executive successes and big-league leadership ambitions.
Though conventional primary wisdom might have held that the candidate with the most endorsements and party-loyalist support should win, this year's primary broke the rules. Suozzi's enormous self-confidence, his constant campaigning and his enthusiastic staff of Suozzi zealots sought the votes door-by-door, and got them. He marshaled legions of volunteers and, in spite of the paucity of organized labor support, brought people out to vote for him.
Registered Democrats may also have turned out in unusually large numbers as a show of defiance to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, exercising their quintessential democratic right to vote.
Holed up at the Vanderbilt in Plainview, optimistic DiNapoli supporters gathered around the bar for what they believed would be a victory party. Just minutes after 9 p.m., when polls closed, a waiter rushed the bar and demanded a bottle of champagne, which he promptly disappeared with behind a closed door. It was likely the last of the champagne drinking here for the night.
News 12's early reportings of a slight DiNapoli edge surprised no one, but the mood gradually changed as each ensuing report showed a growing Suozzi advantage. Awaiting a concession speech by their candidate when the outcome was clear, DiNapoli supporters were left silent by the sight of a Suozzi celebration on TV screens, which were quickly shut off. Mercifully, a smiling DiNapoli appeared to warm applause a long half-minute later and praised the unexpectedly strong voter turnout.
It was important to show our
neighbors, the state and the world that
our democratic traditions endure even in the face of adversity, the assemblyman said.
Though he insisted there would still be a party this evening, many people lost the desire and headed for the exits. More than one supporter commented This one hurts
