Republicans sweep in the Five Towns

All four Republicans running to represent portions of the Five Towns won their respective races on Tuesday.

Incumbent Republican County Legislator Howard Kopel earned his eighth two-year term in the 7th District with a victory over Democratic challenger Tanvir Ahmad in a battle of Five Towns residents.

As of press time, Kopel had collected 7,975 votes to Ahmad’s 1,659, and was considered a possibility to replace the Legislature’s presiding officer, Richard Nicolello, who is retiring after 28 years.

“We’ve got a great team,” Kopel said. “I can’t wait to sit down and work with our wonderful team and our great county executive, Bruce Blakeman.”

Describing himself as a “reformed lawyer,” Kopel is known for creating relationships on both sides of the political aisle.

Republican Patrick Mullaney defeated fellow Democrat Alexis Pace to succeed longtime incumbent Denise Ford, a Republican, in the 4th Legislative District.  The unofficial result was Mullaney 5,232 to Pace’s 3,987.

The newly elected county legislator seemed a bit overwhelmed. “I’m speechless — I really am,” Mullaney told the Herald. “I can’t thank the people of Long Beach enough. It’s a great community to call home.”

Mullaney is involved in a number of organizations - all while a member of the New York City Fire Department. He is now a special ops lieutenant. This is his first elected position.

Mullaney opposes the proposed Equinor wind farm off the South Shore of Long Island. He said that the Norway-based energy company has to do a better job of addressing negative perspectives on the project.

Town races

Supervisor Don Clavin, Town Clerk Kate Murray and Receiver of Taxes Jeannie Driscoll all won re-election.

Republican Melissa “Missy” Miller won re-election in the race for Hempstead Town Board in the 3rd District, over Democratic challenger Ingrid Izaguirre, of Valley Stream, 9,828 votes to 3,015.

Miller, of Atlantic Beach, served in the Assembly from 2016 to 2022, and was appointed to the Town Board in February 2022, after Blakeman became county executive. She won a special election for the council seat that November.

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

Miller has been an advocate for the disabled, and during her time in Albany, she worked across the aisle and co-sponsored bills with Democrats. She has continued that advocacy on the town level, proposing a mandate for large buildings in the Town of Hempstead, with public bathrooms equipped with adult-sized changing tables for people with disabilities.

Republican Laura Ryder, who was appointed to the Town Board in April, won the race in the town’s 4th District over Darien Ward, garnering 8,144 votes to Ward’s 5,365.

“Win, lose or draw, I think residents need to stay engaged in the political and economic issues of the town,” Ward wrote to the Herald. “I will stay engaged. I learned a great deal from the residents and will continue to advocate for accountability and transparency in town government.”

Ryder previously served on the Lynbrook village board in 2021, and succeeded Anthony D’Esposito on the Town Board when D’Esposito was elected to the House of Representatives last year.

The Lynbrook Woman of the Year in 2014 and Lynbrook Humanitarian of the Year in 2018, Ryder is involved with several groups, including the Lynbrook Cares Committee and Lynbrook Community Chest.

“It is my honor to continue to serve my constituents in the Town of Hempstead 4th District,” she said. “I am grateful to be part of an incredible team of dedicated public servants. Many thanks to all who supported me, and I will continue to be your voice.”