By Herald staff
"Can you believe it's 10 years?" McCarthy asked the packed room of supporters, referring to her five terms representing the 4th Congressional District. McCarthy said she and her fellow legislators would now get to work on passing a minimum-wage increase and a prescription drug plan, and work to reduce the interest rates on college loans. "What you're going to see is us working with our Republican colleagues," she said.
McCarthy became widely known for her fight for stricter gun-control legislation, which catapulted her to her first victory and a seat in the House of Representatives in 1996, three years after her husband was shot and killed on the Long Island Rail Road. Since then, the nurse-turned-politician has focused on several other critical federal issues, including the long-term viability of Social Security and Medicare, securing grants to assist local first responders to emergencies and providing tax relief to middle-class families. McCarthy has said that tax reform is the key issue facing residents in her district.
During the campaign, Blessinger, who has been involved in Conservative Party politics for the past decade, said his chief priority would be to develop a disaster plan and evacuation strategy in case of a weather-related emergency or terrorist attack. The challenger also listed as one of his main priorities improving the academic standards of some of the poorer-performing school districts in the 4th C.D.
In the 14th Assembly District, incumbent Republican Robert Barra defeated challenger Daniel Torres, 59 percent to 41 percent. It was the second time Torres had challenged Barra.
"It was a solid win on a very tough night in a very tough year for Republicans," Barra said.
He said that he will look to reduce taxes for his constituents during his next term. "We've got to provide people with needed relief in the property tax area," Barra said.
In the state's 9th Senate District vote, Republican Dean Skelos defeated his Democratic challenger, Odelia Goldberg of Lawrence, 64 percent to 36 percent.
During the campaign, Skelos, the Senate's deputy majority leader, said he has used his influence in Albany to bring back much-needed aid to his district.
"Our responsibility with a changing government is to work cooperatively while retaining our Republican principles in the Senate to protect our residents," Skelos said Tuesday night.
"I think we did an amazing job," Goldberg said in her concession speech. "We fought tooth and nail, and we did it with dignity and honor. I'm running again for sure."
In the 21st Assembly District, incumbent Republican Thomas Alfano handily defeated Democrat Alfred Cooper, with 65 percent of the vote going to Alfano.
³They know I fight for them in Albany,² Alfano said about winning in an increasingly Democratic district. ³I¹ve developed so many personal relationships, they know I¹m their champion.²
