By Dan Murphy
The expected Red Wave of Republican election victories on Nov. 8 did not sweep across the country or Westchester County. The only republican victories in Westchester were in Congress, where republican Mike Lawler defeated Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, and Yorktown Supervisor Matt Slater won his race for Assembly in the 94th District, defeating democrat Kathleen Valetta. Westchester democrats pulled out two narrow victories on election night which that ended the red wave. State Senator Peter Harckham defeated republican Gina Arena in the 40th District, and in Yonkers, Assemblyman Nader Sayegh defeated republican Yonkers Councilman Mike Breen.
“I truly appreciate all of the support I have received during this campaign and thank all of the voters in Senate District 40 for participating in this important election,” said Sen. Harckham. “The confidence and trust that residents have placed in me once again will continue to guide my intentions. These are challenging times, though, and I look forward to being engaged in the hard work necessary to ensure a better future for all.” Harckham got 53% to just under 47% for Arena, who lives in Somers.
Assemblyman Mike Lawler became Congressman-elect Mike Lawler after Congressman Maloney conceded on Nov. 8. Lawler defeated Maloney by a 53%-47% margin. Lawler campaign manager Bill O’Reilly tweeted, Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney just called to graciously concede to @lawler4ny.”
“I don’t like to lose, but my opponent won this race. He won if fair and square. That means something. The right thing to do is say the other guy won and wish him well.”
This reporter lives in both the state senate district of Harckham and the congressional district of Congressman-elect Lawler. The amount of mailings, TV ads and spending in both races was staggering.
Governor Kathy Hochul was elected to her first four-year term on Nov. 8 after defeating Congressman Lee Zeldin, 52%-48%. NY Attorney General Tish James got 53% and defeated Michael Henry with 45%. Comptroller Tom DiNapoli 55%-42% for Paul Rodriquez.
Congressman Jamaal Bowman handily defeated his republican challenger Dr. Miriam Flisser 58%-36%, in the 16th District, which includes all of lower Westchester.
Westchester State Senator and Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, 60%, defeated Kris Kerr, 36%, and State Senator Shelley Mayer defeated Frank Murtha 54%-41%. All other democrats, including first time Assembly candidates MaryJane Shimsky, 60%, and Dana Levenberg, 59%, were easily elected.
In the race for State Supreme Court in the 9th Judicial District, unofficial results have all 7 democratic candidates elected on Nov. 8. They are David Zuckerman, Anne MInihan, Elena Goldberg Velazquez, David Squirrell, Sherri Eisenpress,Keri Fiore. and Amy Puerto.
US Senator Charles Schumer also defeated Yonkers republican Joe Pinion, 56%-42%.
