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Politics & Government

Election 2010: Post-Race Reactions

Candidates and those who campaigned for them comment on the election's outcomes.

As the campaigning and anticipation comes to a screeching halt, candidates, whether win or lose, and those who campaigned for them, take a moment to reflect; before the real work of repairing the community and the nation begins.

John Jay LaValle, Chairperson for the Suffolk County Republican Party, was in high spirits following the election. In this election the GOP took back a State Senate seat, three assembly seats and held onto their incumbents and judges. 

"It was a tremendous night for the Suffolk County Republican Committee," he said. "With Long Island having a seat at the table I think we're going to see some positive change in Albany. When you look at the almost $200 million dollars in cuts to school aid and for our children, and MTA taxes, and things of that nature ... Basically, in order to pay for [Democrat's] welfare and their social programs they have literally taxed Long Islanders into bankruptcy.  We need to reverse that."

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State Sen. Ken LaValle won re-election to his 18th term, defeating challenger Jennifer Maertz with a 30-point margin.  Maertz, the vice-chairwoman of the Brookhaven Town Democratic Committee, stepped in at the last minute to fill the ballot vacancy created by an August court decision that knocked out Democratic nominee, Regina Calcaterra of New Suffolk because she didn't meet the state's residency requirements to run for office. 

Maertz, too, had to fight to stay on the ballot due to a technicality; an obstacle which she ultimately surmounted, but left her with just two months to campaign against her formidable opponent. 

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"I really ran hard against him in the debates and in the field," she said, "but ultimately, it wasn't enough to bring in the votes that we needed." 

Maertz received over 30,000 votes and now looks optimistically to the future. 

"To get that many votes, it was really an impressive showing in only two months," she said. " So, that's something to look forward to; whether it be myself or somebody else who runs in two years."

Maertz envisions herself running again for office at some point, for either the Senate or something else.

"I believe given more than two months, which we will have next time, we can definitely do this," she said. "It really felt like out there the voters want a change, and I think they will really want a change in two years."

While it is widely assumed that incumbent Tim Bishop narrowly won over Randy Altschuler in the race for the 1st Congressional District with 50.95 percent of the votes to Altschuler's 49.04 percent, in an official statement Altschuler's senior communications advisor, Rob Ryan said, "The 1st Congressional District race is too close to call.  Our election lawyer is currently collecting needed information at the Suffolk County Board of Elections.  Thousands of absentee ballots are in play and that number is sure to increase over the next few days.  We plan to proceed in a judicious fashion until every vote has been accurately counted."

Jesse Garcia, chairman of The Brookhaven Town Republican Committee, issued a statement on their website which included the following:  "We have set the stage for even more victories and defeating even more incumbent Democrats in 2011 for Town and County elections, based on The Republican Revolution of 2010 ... This, along with our previous wins, are historic victories that you will forever be a part of, not only have we changed, together, the political landscape of Brookhaven Town and Suffolk County, we are bringing a new tone to how government works."

Bishop expressed gratitude for his reelection this week. 

"I am grateful to the residents of Suffolk County for continuing to put their faith and confidence in me to serve them," he said. "I have been in both the majority and minority and have been able to be effective for Suffolk County in each. Additionally, I have always said that some of the most important work a Congressman does is to help solve the everyday problems of Long Islanders, and that has nothing to do with the balance of power in Washington."

Bishop said this was a remarkable victory in a terrible political climate against an opponent who spent more than $3 million of his own money and more than $750,000 in attack ads from anonymous special interests.

"While I respect Randy Altschuler's right to wait to concede until all the absentee ballots are counted," Bishop added, "I will use every means at my disposal to vigorously protect the victory that I and my supporters worked so hard to secure."

Legislator Tom Muratore said, "The voters have spoken, they want change.  They want their elected officials to cut taxes, create jobs and stop the political in-fighting.  We must work harder and smarter.  We must get back to basics.  We must improve services and try to run our government like a business and not as our personal piggy bank.

Later this week, Sen. Brian Foley, who lost his election to Lee Zeldin, weighed in on the defeat.

"My commitment to honest government has guided me throughout my career, from Brookhaven to Albany," he said. "The last two years in Albany presented many challenges, and there are many still to come."

He wished Zeldin the wisdom and fortitude to make the right decisions for all the sake of the people of Suffolk County, "because that is now who he represents- all the people, not just those who voted for him."  

"I believe that all families deserve quality schools, good paying jobs and safe communities and I will continue to work for these common goals," Foley added. "It was an honor serving as the State Senator for the 3rd Senate District."

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