Brendan Finn, Mike Reinhart, Chris Fiumara elected to Long Beach City Council

Three Republican candidates were running for Long Beach City Council this time around — challengers Brendan Finn, Mike Reinhart and Chris Fiumara.

The three candidates announced victory Tuesday night, amassing the most votes against their competitors — James Hodge, Tina Posterli and Liz Treston.

The unofficial vote totals showed Finn received 4,639, Fiumara 4,491 and Reinhart 4,462.

The three will start their terms on the council during the first meeting of 2024.

Mike Reinhart grew up in Queens, but spent lots of time in Long Beach, playing in beach volleyball leagues and tournaments. He eventually decided he wanted to live there, and moved to the city 25 years ago.

“I mean, this is unbelievable,” Reinhart said Tuesday after declaring victory. “We really acted like a team, we love each other. Thank you so much.”

One of the main things Reinhart wants to address when elected is the “us versus them” feeling at council meetings, meaning residents versus council members. That simply can’t be, he said, and he and his running mates, Brendan Finn and Chris Fiumara, will work to change that, they said.

Finn moved to Long Beach with his family in 1961, when he was 3. He attended Long Beach Catholic Regional School, and worked at Monarch Beverage, on Long Beach Road. He ended up managing the place after he graduated from college.

“It's about doing the right thing for Long Beach,” he said. “I’m going to use a surfing metaphor even though I'm not a surfer. When the north wind blows in to Long Beach, it blows out all the murky water, all the chop, and we get beautiful waves, beautiful beach and beautiful days. Everybody goes up to the boardwalk and enjoys the waves. I think a big north wind just blew through and blew out all the murky stuff and it's going to be a great time for us.”

Fiumara has lived in Long Beach for about 25 years, but spent many childhood summers on the city’s beaches.

He recalls talking with his family one day about the taxes in Long Beach, and how he was unhappy with the state of the city. His 6-year-old daughter turned to him and said, “You know, you always tell me to make a change and whatnot, and you have an opportunity to do so. Why don’t you run for City Council?”

So he did. And now he won.

For him, the most important issue is the city budget. He thinks that the council — and the city — need new people to handle it.

“I have so many ‘thank you’s’ I don’t know who to thank first,” Fiumara said. “We were told this couldn't be done and I really am humbled by the support. I really look forward to making Long Beach the Long Beach we remember, we love and everybody being happy again.”

Patrick Mullaney also unofficially won Tuesday night the race for Legislative District 4, beating out Alexis Pace. Mullaney totaled 9,704 votes to Pace’s 6,466.

“I’m speechless, I really am,” Mullaney said. “I can’t thank the people of Long Beach enough. It’s a great community to call home.”

The seat is Denise Ford’s seat, which she held for two decades. Ford endorsed Mullaney.

“I would like to offer my congratulations to Patrick Mullany on his victory.  I wish him luck as he starts on his path to represent Legislative District 4,” Pace said. “A special thank you to my supporters and volunteers for their tireless work during this effort.”

Melissa “Missy” Miller also won the seat for the Town of Hempstead’s Third District, beating out Ingrid Izzaguirre. Miller totaled 14,826 votes to Izaguirre’s 6,851.

“I am very happy with the results and humbled that my constituents have put their faith in me again,” Miller said. “I will not let them down. I will continue to work hard for everyone.”