Election 2012: Southern Brooklyn Races

UPDATE:

Finally, the results are in.

Southwest Brooklyn voters were good to incumbents, who all kept their seats.

Congressmember Michael Grimm defeated Democratic candidate Mark Murphy, 94,102 to 82,401, according to unofficial results from the Board of Elections.

Grimm said that there was not much time for celebrating since he has been focusing all of his efforts on Hurricane Sandy relief.

“We didn’t have a formal reception; we just thanked the volunteers who worked so hard so we could get back to the relief efforts,” Grimm said. “It’s an important victory for me. President Obama carried the district and looking nationally how Republicans did in areas where the president carried, we did really well.

“All we are focused on right now is making sure people have water and the basic necessities and that they are out of harm’s way,” he concluded.

Murphy said he was “proud” of his campaign. “My message of protecting the middle class, standing up for women and Medicare clearly resonated,” he said. “As we pick up the pieces after Sandy, the role of public service will be more important than ever for Staten Island and Brooklyn, and I will continue my leadership on that front for our community.”

Although two upstate races are still undecided, Democrats could well seize control of the State Senate.

But the 22nd District didn’t figure into any shift. Republican incumbent State Senator Marty Golden beat Democratic candidate Andrew Gounardes, 35,720 to 25,761.

The mood was somber at the Bay Ridge Manor, which served as the party site for local Republicans. Golden began his victory speech with a moment of silence for those who lost their lives in Hurricane Sandy.

“We have had a tough difficult week and will continue to work to make sure we put people back on their feet so they can rebuild their lives,” Golden said. “This is truly a great night. It’s all about the future. It’s bittersweet, but it’s important that we go forward here tonight [and] rebuild this city.”

Gounardes thanked his supporters. “This campaign wasn’t just about me and it wasn’t just about Marty Golden. It was about real issues affecting our neighborhood, our city and our state. It was about pay equity and the minimum wage; better infrastructure and world-class public schools; safer streets and yes, more time!” he said. “Losing the race doesn’t mean that these issues don’t matter anymore. Now they matter more than ever. I hope you’ll still stand with me and fight to make better all the things we wanted to improve.”

Democratic State Senator Diane Savino bested her opponent Republican/Conservative Lisa Grey, 43,440 to 13,682.

She said she was “honored” to get votes from her district and looks forward to representing her new constituents. “They gave me their trust and hopefully I will be able to live up to it,” Savino said. “All we have been focused on for the past week is the recovery effort. There is going to be a continuing effort going forward [as to] how we will allocate resources [so] people can get their lives back together.”

Republican Assemblymember Nicole Malliotakis defeated Democratic candidate John Mancuso, 19,252 to 11,965. Malliotakis has been helping her district in Staten Island all week, which was rocked by Sandy.

“There has been an outpouring of support from many Bay Ridge constituents and I am extremely appreciative of that,” she said, adding that Something Greek, the Arab American Association, Fort Hamilton Army Base, AHEPA41 and the Hallowed Sons Motorcycle Club of Bay Ridge have been dedicating their time.

“I am very honored and happy to know that the people of my district have put their faith in me to continue to represent them in Albany and I will work my hardest and do my best to continue build in the momentum of the past two years,” she said.

Mancuso said he was happy to “do so well over in Brooklyn. My friends, supporters and family always come out to support us Democrats. They know we will work hard and do the job as best as we can,” he said. “On Staten Island, they didn’t come out for us. I have faith Nicole will do a great job and I look forward to working with her.”

Democratic Assemblymember Alec-Brook-Krasny also defeated his opponent, Republican/Conservative Tom McCarthy, 13,224 to 8,882.

Brook-Krasny has been with his constituents in Coney Island for days dealing with the aftermath of Sandy. He thanked Homeland Security, FEMA, the Red Cross, Sanitation workers and city and state agencies “from the bottom of his heart” for all of their support.

“The people of the 46th AD will make this district even better than it was before Hurricane Sandy,” he said. “I want to thank Tom McCarthy for running a civilized campaign and a civil dialogue. Hopefully we can become friends in the future.”

McCarthy said that it was “a great race. I was really humbled and honored by all of the support I received from so many people. It was a great experience,” he stated, “I was happy to be able to raise the issues I raised and participate in the debates. I would like to thank supporters and all those who voted for me. I want them all to know that I really appreciate it.”

Assemblymember Bill Colton defeated his Republican/Conservative opponent James Rippa. For the third year in a row, Colton received more votes than those at the top of the ballot.

He said the experience was “very gratifying. I believe an elected official has to be a public servant and has to serve the needs and concerns of people and be there voice. That’s exactly what I will try to keep on doing,” Colton said. “I am honored and grateful that people have placed their trust in me and I will continue being the voice of the people.

Assemblymember Peter Abbate defeated his Conservative opponent Vincent Katinas by a landslide, obtaining 86.63 percent of votes.

“I am very pleased and grateful to my constituents for re-electing me to another term in the New York State Assembly. Anytime an election rolls around and I see the outcome of it, it gives me more energy to do the work for the people I represent,” he said. “We have a lot of challenges ahead of us. Once we get back into session, our major priority is getting people back to work. [That] solves the majority of all our problems.”

President Barack Obama has won re-election as President of the United States, but the races closer to home in Brooklyn and New York State continue.

In the race for U.S. Senator from New York, Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democrat, holds the majority against challenger Wendy Long, a Republican.

In the race for the 49th Assembly District seat, veteran incumbent Peter J. Abbate Jr. had 85 percent of the vote, with 80 percent of the district reporting, as of 11:19 p.m.. Abbate was being challenged by Conservative Vincent Katinas.

Incumbent Congressmember Michael Grimm is projected by CNN as holding onto his seat in the 11th Congressional District, which represents Staten Island, as well as parts of Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, and Dyker Heights. These results are based on 36 percent of the vote already counted – 59 percent for Grimm and 40 percent for Democratic challenger Mark Murphy.

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