Suozzi concedes County Exec race

County Executive Tom Suozzi conceded Tuesday afternoon, bringing a surprising conclusion to one of the most hotly contested elections in recent Nassau County history.

According to information from the county Board of Elections, challenger Ed Mangano defeated Suozzi by 386 votes.

Suozzi struck a conciliatory tone in his remarks, saying that he was disappointed with his performance, but that ultimately he did not plan to stand in the way of County Executive-elect Ed Mangano.

"I called him to congratulate him," Suozzi said at a Tuesday news conference, at which he received several standing ovations from supporters. Suozzi said that many of his supporters were urging him to continue on, as many ballots were set aside to be reviewed in court, but that he felt it was better not to delay the process any longer. "I don't think it would be fair to the people of Nassau County and to Ed Mangano. My objective is to have a smooth transition of government."

The county executive added that he was disappointed, both in the Democractic voter turnout and in himself, as he saw the votes piling up in his opponent's column. Suozzi said his loss could be largely attributed to residents being fed up with high property taxes, but hopes that the work he has done to bring attention to the issue continues on in the Mangano administration and also in Albany.

"I have absolutely no regrets ... we have done everything we can to address the property tax issue in Nassau County," Suozzi said, referencing his Fix Albany campaign in 2004 and his unsuccessful bid for governor in 2006. "We could not do anymore than we did."

Mangano, on the other hand, currently the Nassau County legislator for the 17th District, seemed vindicated in his belief that his strong anti-tax message would resonate with any county voter it got to.

Sitting in his legislative office in Mineola on Tuesday, Mangano called the result a relief, describing the tedious process of following vote tallies over the past month. Looking ahead, Mangano said he plans to initiate a series of reforms to fix the property tax assessment system and also to repeal the home-energy tax.

"I knew the issues were out there for change and we had a plan," Mangano said. The 14-year county legislator said he is ready for the challenge of addressing the county's fiscal problems and hopes to work with both sides of the aisle to solve them. "It's important for the people of Nassau County that we get to work immediately."

Mangano also vowed to end the partisanship that has plagued the county in recent years. "The partisanship must end and it will end with this administration," he said. "Reform is on the way, and that's what I can pledge to you."

Mangano and Suozzi were scheduled to meet on Wednesday to discuss the transition of power.