Mineola, NY: Unlike 2018, when Democrats rode a blue wave to gain in many races across the board, 2020 is looking good for GOP.
On Long Island, Republicans appear to have held on to four open New York State Assembly seats that were vacated by their party members and may have flipped up to four local Democratic-held seats, if early leads hold up once absentee ballots are counted.
But local incumbents appeared to do well in their quest for re-election, unofficial results from the Nassau County Board of Elections show — except in the 6th NYS Senate District, where Dennis Dunne Sr., a Republican from Levittown, defeated incumbent Sen. Kevin Thomas, an Indian American, with 54 percent of the vote to Thomas’s 46 percent. After becoming the first Indian American in NYS state Senate, Thomas had been very active in community affairs and was well liked.
Making the Indian community proud is Ragini Srivastava, a yogurt business owner from Manhasset, NY. She has been elected to NY State Assembly from District 16. The district includes the communities of Port Washington, Manhasset, Great Neck, North Hills, East Hills, Old Westbury, Roslyn Heights, Herricks and Lake Success. The Republican beat Democrat Gina Sillitti by over 3,500 votes, early returns show.
Ragini Srivastava earlier served on the Nassau County Comptroller’s Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Council.
Meanwhile, the congressional race in New York’s 3rd district on Long Island continued to be a nail biter as of Wednesday evening. Incumbent Democratic Congressman Tom Suozzi, who earlier served as Nassau County Executive and is well known in the Indian community, is facing a serious challenge from an unknown newcomer, Republican George Santos. Suozzi trails by more than 4,000 votes.
“I knew that it was going to be very close based upon the early votes which I’m sure were much heavier for me,” Rep. Suozzi told reporters Wednesday.
Optimistic and seemingly unfazed, the seasoned politician said he sees a victory on the horizon, banking on 90,000 absentee ballots that have yet to be counted
