|
....September 14, 11:25 PM |
| Surprises Despite Turnout Smith Out, Sabini Remains After Primary
BY TRIBUNE STAFF
The numbers at the polls certainly confirmed what many politicians never want to hear on a primary night – low voter turnout. But despite every registered voter who passed a polling station yesterday without batting their eyes, the 2006 Primary in Queens tallied some unexpected results nonetheless. A senate district saw its woman of power fall from her seat as an education advocate proved her worth in votes, which could soon be recounted. Much to the surprise of another senate district, the underdog candidate was a few hundred votes short of unseating the incumbent senator, as many had expected would happen. And New York State Assembly history was made last night when the first Asian-American woman was elected to the Legislature. 10th Senate District Shirley Huntley took 51 percent of the votes leaving incumbent Ada Smith following closely behind with 49 percent. Of the 11, 529 ballots counted, Huntley received 5,863 votes while Smith received 5,666. The Board of Elections has not certified these votes, and it will not be until a week after the primaries that the machines will be opened an official paper count will be taken – in addition to the emergency affidavits and military ballots that have not yet be counted. Huntley and her campaigners were thrilled at the results of the primaries. “We are just elated,” Huntley said of her victory. “This is due to my hardworking campaigners. We operated on a shoestring budget. It’s like the 70s. We did it by committed people.” Campaign manager Mark Bynoe said Huntley’s office is remaining upbeat and confident until the Board of Elections make the counts official. “It was a very hard fought campaign,” said Deputy Campaign Manager Mike Pope. “We believe the people of District 10 have spoken and have confirmed what we’ve known all along that it’s time to for a positive change.” Smith was not available for comment but according to published reports, she sees it as a possibility that she could win again. “My disposition is that until all the votes are counted there is no winner,” Smith told The New York Times. 13th Senate District Hiram Monserrate, dancing his way onto the stage at Chibzha Rose Restaurant at approximately 11:30 p.m. Tuesday night, addressed his supporters, many of them having waited there tensely, on the edge of their seats, for a night that proved to be an emotional roller coaster for Monserrate and Sabini supporters alike. Monserrate did not concede the election, which unofficial results have him losing to Sabini, 6,052 to 5,844. “This was a spirited and passionate campaign about the future of our community,” said Monserrate. “I am proud to have had the opportunity to offer residents a choice to participate in their democracy and the future of their community. However, with ballots still uncounted, that choice has yet to be resolved.” The uncounted ballots Monserrate referred to are the paper ballots many new voters were forced to use as a result voting machines breaking down or as a result of not being included in the Board of Elections’ database due to recent registration. “Representing a diverse community with many needs, I will not disregard the voice of any voter, especially those who took their first steps to engage in the electoral process,” Monserrate said. Sabini’s supporters cheered him at Betty’s, a catering hall on Corona Avenue where the jubilant incumbent made his way to the front of the room through an applauding crowd when the results were tallied. “We are a community, and those that seek to divide us have again failed,” Sabini said. “The folks that want to make people warring factions within an enclosed zip code – they have failed.” 22nd Assembly District Ellen Young, soon to be the first Asian-American woman elected to the New York State Legislature, was greeted with cheers and a chant of her name when she arrived at her victory party at Maxim Restaurant in Flushing on Tuesday night. Young was bombarded by supporters and photographers as she made her way to the back of the restaurant with her daughter Coral in tow. Her eyes welled with tears as she took the microphone and thanked her supporters. Her speech ended with a tight embrace from her daughter. “It’s been a long day, and we should start a party. Come on, let’s eat,” she said. Those who work for Councilman John Liu believe Young’s election and close ties with Liu will bridge a gap between city and state government. “The state office has not always gone along with the city,” John Choe, John Liu’s chief of staff said. “Flushing will benefit from having two capable representatives, one on the state level and city level, making sure we can coordinate some of the same issues.” Young took 36 percent of the votes in the 22nd, with 1,889, followed by opponents Julia Harrison, who took 30 percent with 1,767 votes and Terence Park, who got 29 percent of the votes, with 1,552. |
|
Serial Rapists Terrorize Southeast Queens World’s Fair Book Finds Missing Pieces Willets Point Seeks Recommendations Supreme Court Muddles State Gun Law Home Run For Queens Boys And Girls Club Assemblywoman Hit By Car Candidates Get Ready To Rumble Domestic Violence Center Opens In Queens Queens Family Mourns Loss Of Soldier Cemetery Buried In Property Debate Recent Hate Crimes Spur Local Reaction Queens Reacts To Passing Of City Budget Cut The Cost And Time Of Transportation Kitten Looks For A Nice Home More Than Two Ways to Begin Political Career Suicide Jumper Queens Parents Are Happy With Schools Parking Loss Due To Bike Lane Debated Teacher Accused Of Abusing Student Cop Impersonator Accused of Rape Queens Schools Fail Arts Requirements Politico Served With Civil Suit Future of Day Care Under The Scope | |||||||
|
|||||||||
