Astorino Wins Re-Election As Westchester County Executive

NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- Incumbent Rob Astorino has won the race for Westchester County Executive.

Astorino defeated challenger and New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson, CBS 2's Lou Young reported.

With 41-percent of precincts reporting Astorino had 54-percent of the vote, Bramson came up short with 46-percent. Early worries for the Astorino camp faded as numbers began to come in and solidly Democratic precincts gave him an edge.

Branson conceded with about 20-percent of precincts counted.

Astorino won his second term as County Executive in the Democratic county by concentrating on lowering taxes that were, by some calculations, among the highest in the country. Bramson chose to focus on divisive issues like abortion and gun control.

"We need to find a healthy balance in government today. A balance between what we want and what taxpayers can afford. And the days of unrestricted taxing and spending in New York have to end," Astorino said, "We are hemorrhaging jobs to other parts of the country and our seniors and young families are fleeing our state and that will only stop when we get a grip on overspending and overtaxing. That is what we are doing right here in Westchester County."

It was an uphill battle for any Republican to win in the county where Democrats have a two-to-one advantage. Astorino delivered on a promised to lower the county's portion of those taxes.

Astorino's message resonated with voters who delivered him a second term on Tuesday night.

Bramson called Astornio to concede and congratulated him on his victory. He also addressed his own supporters and thanked them for their dedication.

"Running against a well liked and well-financed incumbent is always a tough challenge," he said, "I will always be grateful for what you did."

Bramson said that he plans to return to his job as Mayor of New Rochelle.

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