By Michael Golz
Suffolk County Republicans congregated at the Radisson Hotel in Holtsville to await election returns on Tuesday night. They were confident that they would pull off a victory against the underdog Democrat in the state’s second Senate district.
State Senator John Flanagan (R) arrived at the Suffolk County Republican Committee party at 9 p.m. to find that he was ahead of Brooke Ellison (D) by a margin of more than 7,000 votes.
“The hardest part is staying focused about our message and making sure that we were on TV and going door to door,” said Flanagan on the most challenging part of the race.
Among the cheers and beers, supporters of Flanagan were positive that he would pull out a win.
“I think he will continue to be a great senator, he is experienced and really trying to make a difference [in Suffolk County],” said Suffolk county resident and registered Republican James Montalto.
“I think John has been doing a terrific job and he has really come into his own, he will be re-elected,” said Suffolk County registered Republican Bill Murphy.
As of midnight, the unofficial results put Flanagan ahead of Ellison by 14,449 votes, taking 59 percent of the vote. According to these results, Flanagan had won the election and maintained his seat on the second Senate district.
“After all is said and done, they [Suffolk County residents] want to see that their government is getting things done,” said Flanagan on the current political climate.
“Thank you for all your help and support in my race for a seat in the New York State Senate,” said Ellison in her concession stand.
“This was always a campaign about people, and I very much was honored to meet so many Long Islanders out on the campaign trail,” added Ellison.
While the crowd of people was by majority Republicans, some people regarded Ellison with some distinction.
“Brooke has as much of a chance as anybody, the person who gets in deserves it,” said registered Independent Peter Schlussler. “Brooke is very book smart, while John is very street smart. May the best man or woman win.”
“I have sympathy for her, but Ellison is inexperienced,” said Montalto. “She does not focus on the issues at hand, she focuses on stem cells.”
Other people in attendance included Suffolk County Court Judge Ralph Gazzillo, Judy Pascale who is running for County Clerk and Italo Zanzi who is running for a U.S. Congress seat.
“I understand it is a good turn out. It means people know the importance of politics and the election,” said Gazzillo.
Gazzillo, who is running unopposed, was taking 100 percent of the vote as of midnight. Pascale was also in the lead by 15,000 votes while Zanzi would ultimately fall behind and fail to win the majority.
All in all, the night proved that the voters in the national election needed a change. The un-official results in the national election put the Democrats ahead in the House of Representatives.
“It will change the dynamics, at some point, Republican or Democrat, they [citizens] just want people who can make things better,” said Flanagan.
When all was said and done, Flanagan’s win will be overshadowed by the national stage and how the Republican party lost its majority in Washington D.C.