Democrats claimed key victories across Valley Stream and Nassau on Tuesday night, according to unofficial results. U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen won a second term in New York's 4th Congressional District. and Gov. Kathy Hochul defeated Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. Voters also weighed in on races for the state Legislature, the Nassau County Legislature and the Town of Hempstead, with affordability and public safety at the center of nearly every campaign.
Gillen campaigned on lowering costs for Long Island families, improving infrastructure and public safety, and working across party lines to bring federal resources to the district.
"In this election, Democrats, Republicans, and independent voters chose common sense over chaos," she said.
Democrat Joe Scianablo unseated Supervisor John Ferretti. Scianablo, a veteran, former New York City police officer and attorney, campaigned on reviewing town spending, eliminating patronage positions and rebuilding the town’s reserves. He also pledged to reinvest in roads, parks and pools, crack down on overdevelopment and zoning variances, and hold more evening Town Board meetings so residents can attend.
"No level of government succeeds alone," he said. "I'm willing to work with Independents, Republicans, Democrats, of course, state, county, federal level partners to bring much-needed resources back to the town of Hempstead."
Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, won a second full term, defeating Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, according to unofficial results. Hochul campaigned on lowering household costs, pointing to inflation refund checks, an expanded child tax credit, middle-class tax cuts and universal free school meals.
Blakeman conceded Tuesday night, telling supporters he had called Hochul to congratulate her.
“Tonight wasn’t the result that we all wanted, but I just got off the phone with Governor Hochul,” Blakeman said. “I told her that she ran a great race, and now the race is over. The election’s over, so we all have to unify and work together and make for a better state of New York.”
He added that he would run again “all over again” if given the chance, and thanked supporters for their work on the campaign.
“You win some, you lose some,” he said. “The fact of the matter is that now we pull together, we move forward. … Because in the final analysis, we’re all Americans.”
Democrat Lisa “Malkie” Vider unseated state Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick in the 9th Senate District. Vider, a Hewlett health care administrator and business owner, campaigned on making health care more affordable, bringing more state aid to local schools and first responders, and combating antisemitism.
Democratic Assemblywoman Judy Griffin won re-election in the 21st Assembly District, defeating Republican Irene Villacci. Griffin campaigned on utility rate reform, more equitable school funding, flood mitigation and cleaner drinking water.
Democratic Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages won re-election in the 22nd Assembly District, defeating Republican Robert Inzerillo. Solages, who has held the seat since 2013, campaigned on lowering utility costs, expanding affordable housing and child care, and opening a new community center in Elmont.
In the 3rd Legislative District, Democratic Legislator Carrié Solages won re-election, defeating Republican Kadeem Brown in a rematch of last year’s race. Solages, first elected in 2011, campaigned on flood and infrastructure work along Elmont Road, road safety projects, property tax relief and support for immigrant residents.
In the 7th Legislative District, Republican Legislator Howard Kopel, the Legislature’s presiding officer, won a ninth term, defeating Democrat Douglas Segan. Kopel campaigned on public safety, controlling county costs and taxes, combating antisemitism and preserving the suburban character of the Five Towns.
In the 14th Legislative District, Democratic Legislator Cynthia Nuñez won re-election, defeating Republican Anthony Capone. Nuñez, a Valley Stream resident completing her first term, campaigned on lowering gas taxes, advancing a $500,000 flood and drainage study and funding police and fire equipment.
“I am feeling really invigorated for my community,” Nuñez said Tuesday night. “I’ve seen historic numbers of Democrats come out. It’s time for change, and we’re showing that.”
She said she plans to keep holding town halls and office hours around the district.
“I want to continue bringing government into the community,” she said.
Democrat Joylette Williams defeated Republican incumbent Kate Murray to become the next Town of Hempstead clerk. Williams, an English professor at Nassau Community College, campaigned on modernizing access to town services, improving transparency in public records requests and ensuring residents across all communities receive equal access to government services.
