By Jeff Lipton
With 100 percent of precincts reporting and absentee ballots yet to be counted, Toback had captured 58 percent of the vote, 6,094 to 4,393, over Jacobowitz, a long-time civic activist from North Woodmere. The vote ended a feisty race in the Seventh Legislative District, which saw both candidates exchange barbs.
The Seventh takes in Lawrence, Cedarhurst, Woodmere, Woodsburgh, Hewlett, Hewlett Harbor, Hewlett Neck, Hewlett Bay Park, North Woodmere, Inwood, Island Park, Mill Brook, Harbor Isle and parts of Oceanside and East Rockaway.
I'm glad that the voters recognized the good job we're doing and were able to recognize all the lies and distortions my opponent was putting out, said Toback.
In an upset, Denise Ford, the Republican challenger for the Fourth Legislative District, beat Democrat incumbent Michael Zapson, who was seeking a third term. With 100 percent of the precincts reporting and absentee ballots still to be counted, Ford held a 308-vote lead over Zapson, 6,992 to 6,684. It marked the first run at public office for Ford, a civic leader in Long Beach for several years and a retired phone company technician. A registered Democrat for 35 years running on the Republican ticket, Ford is a former union shop steward for the Communication Workers of America, Local 1101 and 1106.
Ford, whose New York City firefighter husband died in the 2001 Father's Day fire in Queens, said she was running to bring county taxes under control.
The Fourth covers Atlantic Beach and the rest of the Long Beach barrier island, plus parts of Island Park and Oceanside.
This is a little overwhelming to win this race, Ford said. I want to thank all the people who took a chance and believed in me. I'm proud to say I will serve you well.
The Democrats maintained control of the Nassau County Legislature, retaining a 10-9 edge.
In the battle for Nassau County assessor, Republican incumbent Charles O'Shea lost to his challenger, Democrat Harvey Levinson, 107,338 to 106,102.
