Monday, December 2, 2024
Democratic candidates swept races on Tuesday night.
In Congressional District 4, Democratic challenger Laura Gillen declared victory over Republican incumbent Congressman Anthony D’Esposito, securing her first term in the U.S. House of Representatives. It is a tight race with Gillen up 51-49 percent.
“We knocked on 300,000 doors, we made over 600,000 phone calls, and we put together a campaign that was a winning came that we will emulate in the years to come,” Gillen said.
On the state level, Siela Bynoe, a Democrat and Nassau County legislator, defeated Thomas Montefinise, securing her victory for a seat in Albany. Bynoe previously told the Herald that she wants to be a voice for all Long Islanders and said she looks to bring her experience in Mineola upstate.
“Together, we will move this county forward,” she said on Tuesday night. “Together, we will be able to create jobs. We'll be able to bring more money here into this district for infrastructure and education, and all the things that matter the most.”
In the assembly, Democrat Judy Griffin defeated State Assemblyman Brian Curran to win back the seat she lost in 2022. Griffin defeated Curran in 2018 to become the first Democrat to win this particular seat.
“I almost can’t believe that I found out before midnight that I won,” Griffin said. “There are so many people in this room who have been rooting for me. (Out) at train stations with me and who’ve helped me since 2018. I just want to thank all of you.
“I’m really excited to get back to District 21,” she added, “to get back to Albany and to start working to make people’s live better.”
Prop 1, an amendment that aimed to add protections against discrimination to the state constitution, was overwhelmingly approved by voters.
