Incumbents cruise to victories

While the tide was turned in the Nassau County Legislature on Election Day, things stayed the same in the Town of Hempstead, as all incumbents were reelected.

Kate Murray secured her fourth two-year term as Hempstead Town Supervisor. Murray, a Republican from Levittown, garnered nearly 65 percent of the votes in defeating Democratic challenger Kristen McElroy by a count of 82,265 to 44,530.

Leading up to the elections, Murray had been the subject of some public criticism for the town’s position on the Lighthouse project, a major proposal to develop the 150 acres surrounding the Nassau Coliseum. The town is currently negotiating with Lighthouse officials to make revisions and possibly scale back the project.

McElroy had campaigned in favor of the Lighthouse in October, making public appearances at the Nassau Coliseum during Islanders games.

However, the Lighthouse issue did not appear to negatively impact Murray, or her fellow town board members, who were all returned to office in convincing fashion.

“The message I take from the wonderful numbers that we all received on the town board is that people are saying: ‘so far, so good ... you are moving town government in the right direction and keep it up,’” said Murray, a Republican from Levittown. “That’s what I take from Tuesday. I am very cognizant of the fact I will only enjoy popularity as long as I can continue to be fiscally conservative and continue to provide best services at the lowest cost.”

Mark Bonilla was reelected to a fourth term as Hempstead town clerk, beating Democrat Anthony Rattoballi 79,772 to 42,951.

The three incumbents running for Hempstead town board also cruised to victories in their respective councilmatic districts.

In the 1st district, which includes Hempstead, Lakeview, Roosevelt, Uniondale, and portions of Baldwin, Freeport, West Hempstead and Lynbrook, Democrat Dorothy Goosby defeated Republican Tracy Worthy by a vote count of 10,496 to 2,074.

Republican Anthony Santino, was also returned to office in the fourth councilmatic district, which includes Baldwin, East Rockaway, Hewlett, Island Park, Oceanside, Rockville Centre, South Hempstead, and a portion of Lynbrook. He attained 18,542 votes, and Democrat Jean Brett Leach received 7,470.

Republican Gary Hudes defeated fellow Levittown resident Matthew Hynes in the sixth councilmatic district, which includes East Meadow, Levittown, Plainedge, Salisbury and portions of Bethpage, North Bellmore, North Merrick, Seaford and Wantagh. Hudes defeated Hynes 17,784 to 6,364.

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