Curran Declares Victory In Primary For Nassau County Executive
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Nassau County Legislator Laura Curran declared victory late Tuesday in the Democratic primary race for county executive.
Curran went head-to-head against fellow Democrat George Maragos, now the county comptroller.
As of 10:40 p.m., Curran had 80 percent of the vote, compared with 20 percent for Maragos.
"Tonight sends a clear message that Nassau County is ready to chart a new path - that we are ready to put an end to the culture of corruption and make our government live up to the greatness of the people of this County," Curran said in a news release late Tuesday. "I am grateful for the support of so many Nassau County taxpayers and the countless volunteers who spent all their extra time working with my campaign to ensure we were standing here victorious tonight."
Curran continued: "There is a better future for Nassau County than what we've experienced these last eight years. We can end this pervasive culture of corruption. We can do away with the entrenched status quo. And, if we work together, we can give Nassau the fresh start it so sorely needs."
Both touted their independence as candidates.
"I'm clearly an outsider shaking the system up," said Maragos.
"I have been very independent as a legislator and that's something I will continue as county executive," said Curran.
Party loyalists backed Curran while questioning Maragos' candidacy after the long-time Republican switched parties.
On the Republican side, former state senator Jack Martins will be on the ballot in November. Incumbent Republican Ed Mangano, who's facing federal corruption charges, is not seeking re-election. He has pleaded not guilty.
Following her win, Curran told WCBS 880's Sophia Hall that being a Democratic works to her advantage, given the political scandal surrounding the current Republican county executive.
"People are ready for a fresh start here in Nassau County. They are sick of the failed status quo, and they want and deserve a government that lives up to them," she said.
She said cleaning up the corrupt county is her main goal.
"Whatever community I go to, it doesn't matter where in Nassau County, people are fed up with it. They are embarrassed by it," she told Hall. "They pay very high taxes, and they want to know that their money is being spent appropriately."