Democrats Maintain Majority in Suffolk Legislature

Suffolk County Democrats will maintain the majority of the legislature, according to initial election results, which are in for all but two districts that appear too close to call—both of which are open seats.

In the 7th district, both Robert Calarco (D-Patchogue) and John Giannott (R-East Patchogue) are looking to replace Legis. Jack Eddington (I-Medford) who did not choose to seek re-election. Calarco is winning in early returns with the slim lead of 103 votes.

Only 179 votes seperates William Spencer (D-Centerport) who is leading Elizabeth Black (R-Huntington) in the race to replace term-limited Majority Leader Jon Cooper (D-Lloyd Harbor).

Kara Hahn (D-Setauket) beat out Anthony Moncayo (R-Setauket) 57 to 42 percent to fill a third open seat held by outgoing Legis. Vivian Viloria-Fisher (D-Setauket) who is also term-limited.

The remaining seats were all maintained by the incumbents. Presiding Officer William Lindsay (D-Holbrook) topped Republican challenger Anthony Musumeci 54 to 46 percent and Minority Leader John M. Kennedy Jr. (R-Nesconset) won against Martin Aponte (D-Hauppauge) by 74 to 26 percent.

The widest victory went to Edward Romaine (R-Center Moriches), who earned his fourth term against Tricia Chiaramonte (D-Manorville) by 78 to 21 percent.  In a close second was Tom Cilmi (R-Bay Shore), who also earned his second term against James Heath (D-Ronkonkoma by 75 to 25 percent.

Jay Scheiderman (I-Montauk) won his fifth term against Cornelius Kelly (R-Quogue) by 66 to 34 percent.

Thomas Barraga (R-West Islip) won against Frank Dolan (D-West Islip) 66 to 34 percent for a fourth term and Wayne Horsley (D-Babylon) also earned a fourth term by defeating Edward Blankenhorn Jr. (R-Lindenhurst) 68 to 32 percent. Green candidate Cesar A Malaga had 2 percent in that race.

Thomas Muratore (R-Lake Ronkonkoma) beat Joseph Turdik (D-Selden) 68 to 32 percent for his second term.

Louis D’Amaro (D-North Babylon) took a third term after he topped Republican Dennis Garetano 56 to 44.

Sarah Anker (D-Mount Sinai) earned her first full term after winning a special election in March by beating out Karen Wilutis (R-Miller Place) 51 to 49 percent.

Steve Stern (D-Dix Hills) fended off Deborah Poulos (R-Dix Hills) by 55 to 45 and Kate Browning (WF-Shirley) fended off Susan Sineo (R-Manorville) by 55 to 45 percent.

Ricardo Montano (D-Brentwood), Lynne Nowick (R-St. James) and DuWayne Gregory (D-Amityville) all ran unopposed.