Glen Cove Races Await Decision in December

The close race between and for the District 18 seat of the Nassau County Legislature is nearing a decision.

DeRiggi-Whitton, D-Glen Cove, has reportedly taken a 31-point lead, according to Germino, her Republican opponent.

He said as of Wednesday, 22 ballots are being challenged, .

“It’s an interesting experience running for office,” said Germino, who , just after the polls closed on Election Day.

Democratic Commissioner William Biamonte told LIHerald.com that the 66-vote turnaround for DeRiggi-Whitton was “tremendous,” especially after 500 paper ballots - which included absentee, affidavit (hand-written) and emergency ballots - had been counted.

“That usually doesn’t happen in a recount,” he told the Herald.

The challenged votes will need to be reviewed by a judge, according to Biamonte, so each ballot can be individually ruled on to determine its validity.

After Election Day, Republicans took an 11-8 majority in the Nassau County Legislature, with slim leads in the inconclusive 18th and 14th district races. Democrats picked up a seat when Carrié Solages beat eight-term Legis. John Ciotti.

If Democrats win the two contested seats, they could regain control of the legislature, but if Republicans win these races, their majority will stay 11-8.

The 18th district covers Glen Cove, Sea Cliff, Bayville, Locust Valley, Brookville, Glen Head, Greenvale and Jericho.

Meanwhile, the final ballot count awaits in the race for Glen Cove mayor, according to Democratic candidate Ralph Suozzi, who ran for a fourth term in November. He leads Republican challenger Paul Meli by approximately 100 votes.

Mayor Ralph Suozzi said it has been business as usual following the Nov. 8 election.

“I’m doing my job,” he said.

Meli expressed similar sentiments, saying he is continuing his duties as a local Senior Trial Attorney, and looking forward to seeing his famlily over the holidays.

DeRiggi-Whitton could not be reached for comment.