Curran wins Assembly seat

Lynbrook Mayor Brian Curran was victorious in his race for New York State Assembly on Tuesday, receiving over 60 percent of the votes — a a commanding lead over his challenger, Democrat Dermond Thomas of Valley Stream.

Curran replaces Bob Barra, who did not seek re-election after 10 years in the Assembly. The first-term mayor said he won by better than a 2-to-1 margin in his hometown. However, he acknowledged the work ahead in representing several communities in the 14th Assembly District. “I promise I will work hard for the entire district,” Curran said.

He added that he was thankful for the support of the voters and his family. “We lost the heart and soul of our family a few weeks ago when my mother died,” Curran said. “I know she’s looking down upon us now.”

Thomas, an attorney, say he may consider running again in the future. “What we see in Albany is not working,” he said. “It’s not effective. I’m committed to this either now or later. Whenever the time comes.”

Lynbrook native Francis Becker was unsuccessful in his bid to unseat seven-term U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy. McCarthy, who took 54 percent of the vote.

Becker, a Republican, has been a member of the Nassau County Legislature since 1996. He said he did everything he could do in his race for Congress this year. “The campaign was an amazing experience,” he said. “You meet a whole new group of people who believe in you and support you.”

In the 20th Assembly District, which includes part of East Rockaway, Harvey Weisenberg took 52 percent of the votes over his challenger, Joshua Wanderer, in a close race. Weisenberg, a Democrat from Long Beach, led with 18,918 votes, to Wanderer’s 17,318.

State Sen. Dean Skelos, a Republican from Rockville Centre, easily won his re-election bid. The 9th Senate District incumbent defeated challenger George Sava of Woodmere.

With a likely shift in the Senate back to the Republicans, Skelos could return as the majority leader.