By Andrew Coen, John c. O'Connell
and Paul Wein
The vote ended a fiery race, which saw both candidates attacking one another over a variety of issues, most notably police protection and taxes. In the end, however, more voters were satisfied with Toback's performance than were moved by Katz's campaign against him.
³I¹m honored, and looking forward to my fourth term,² said Toback. ³The people in the 7th District know the issues and pay attention to the issues, and I¹m honored that they have elected me for another term.²
The 7th District includes the Five Towns and portions of Valley Stream, East Rockaway, Oceanside and Island Park.
In the 4th Legislative District, Denise Ford (R-Long Beach) won a second term over challenger Robert Solomon to retain the seat for the Republicans. As of midnight Tuesday, Ford had 55 percent of the vote to Solomon¹s 45 percent. The 4th District encompasses Atlantic Beach and Atlantic Beach Estates in addition to Long Beach, Lido Beach, Point Lookout and portions of Island Park and Oceanside.
³We have a race again in two years, and I know we¹ll bring back the majority," Ford said. "I felt I ran a good campaign, kept it positive. A lot of hard work really paid off. I¹m happy that I¹m re-elected, and I¹m going to work harder than I ever have before.²
According to unofficial results reported late Tuesday night, the Democrats maintained control of the Nassau County Legislature, retaining a 10-9 edge.
In the race for Hempstead Town Council, incumbent Councilman Anthony Santino (R-East Rockaway) easily won re-election in the 4th District, which includes Hewlett, with a 27-point lead over Democrat challenger Christopher Bechtle. With 81 percent of precincts reporting, Santino had 63 percent of the vote, to Bechtle¹s 37 percent.
County-wide results
Democrats gathered at the Long Island Marriott in Uniondale late Tuesday night, after the polls closed, were understandably in a celebratory mood. As of midnight, the Nassau County Board of Elections was reporting that in the battle for Nassau County executive, Democratic incumbent Tom Suozzi had garnered 59 percent of the vote, to 38 percent for Republican challenger Greg Peterson. Democratic incumbent Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman also won a second term, with 142,168 votes, to 126,904 for Republican Donald Clavin, the Town of Hempstead's Receiver of Taxes.
"We did it!² proclaimed Suozzi during his victory speech. ³The people have spoken. Tonight, the people recognized that we cleaned up after the elephants. They ran a campaign on fear, and we ran a campaign on hope, and tonight, we kept hope alive.²
Republican Nassau County District Attorney Denis Dillon narrowly lost his long-time spot as the county's chief prosecutor after a competitive race from Democrat challenger and Locust Valley resident Kathleen Rice, who garnered 51 percent of the vote, with 52 percent of the precincts reporting.
Town supervisor race
The Town of Hempstead's Republican incumbent supervisor, Kate Murray, no doubt breathed a huge sigh of relief when reports late Tuesday night showed she had won re-election over Democrat challenger Harvey Levinson, who has served for the last two years as Nassau County assessor. With 86 percent of the precincts reporting, the unofficial results had Murray with 59 percent of the votes to Levinson's 41 percent.
³It was a great night for the Town of Hempstead,² Murray said. ³The entire Murray team came through strong. It¹s really an affirmation that we¹re doing the right thing by the Town of Hempstead. I¹m pleased that the residents cut through the mudslinging.²
In addition to controlling the town supervisor seat, the Republicans also maintained a lock on the town board at 5-1, with Santino and incumbent Republican Councilman Gary Hudes (R-Levittown) winning easily. Incumbent Town Councilman Dorothy Goosby (D-Hempstead) retained the lone Democratic seat on the board.
Complete election results are available at www.liherald.com.
Comments about this story? ACoen@liherald.com or 516-569-4000 ext. 210.
