Singas Declares Victory For Nassau District Attorney; McMahon Wins For S.I. DA
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Democrat Madeline Singas declared victory in a hotly-contested race for District Attorney in Nassau County Tuesday night, while Democrat Michael McMahon -- who has not served previously as a prosecutor -- won the race for Staten Island District Attorney.
In Nassau County, Signas, of Manhasset, declared victory over Republican Kate Murray from Levittown in a fierce race to succeed Kathleen Rice as district attorney.
With nearly all precincts reporting, Nassau County reported Singas had received about 58 percent of the vote, compared with 42 for Murray.
Singas, who had served as the acting DA, has 24 years of experience in criminal law.
"Voters are sending a message they want a prosecutor to be district attorney," Singas said earlier in the day.
Murray, also a lawyer, has a reputation as an honest Hempstead town supervisor who delivers on promises.
"That is exactly what I have been doing in America's largest township for the past 13 years, so I know those leadership experiences and principals will absolutely translate to the DA's office," Murray said earlier in the day.
In declaring victory on Twitter, Singas in particular thanked Islanders fans for her victory. Some Islanders fans blamed Murray for opposing Islanders owner Charles Wang's plan to redevelop the area around the Nassau Coliseum – and setting the stage for the Islanders' move to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, according to multiple published reports.
On Staten Island, McMahon was declared the winner of the race for District Attorney, with 55 percent of the vote compared with 45 percent for Republican Joan Illuzzi.
McMahon will succeed Republican Daniel Donovan for district attorney.
McMahon is a former congressman and city councilman. He has practiced civil and criminal law but hasn't been a prosecutor.
"The response is strong, the voters are coming out. This is traditionally a low turnout election on Staten Island, we think the numbers are looking good, are looking very positive and we feel very good about where we are in this campaign," McMahon said earlier in the day.
Illuzzi was a Manhattan assistant prosecutor for 27 years. She's a political novice.
"You just can't substitute the role of a prosecutor and the experience garnered and forged year after year as a prosecutor with one of a congressman or an assemblyman," Illuzzi told 1010 WINS earlier in the day. "This is a very unique skillset that I bring to the place where I have always lived and I have always loved -- Staten Island."
The contest came a year after Donovan empaneled a grand jury that did not indict a police officer in the death of Eric Garner, helping to propel a national debate. Donovan later won a congressional seat.
In the Bronx, two candidates vied to replace District Attorney Robert Johnson, who was expected to be elected to a post as a judge.
As of late Tuesday, Democrat Darcel Clark – a Bronx Supreme Court appellate judge who previously worked as an Assistant District Attorney in the borough -- had captured an estimated 85 percent of the vote. That was compared with 15 percent for Republican Robert Siano – who was also running on the Conservative party ballot. Siano is a former Administration of Children's Service attorney now in private practice, according to published reports.
Bronx City Councilman Andy King (D-12th) issued tweets congratulating Clark as the winner late Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Bellone was declared the winner in the Suffolk executive race, compared with 43 percent for Republican James O'Connor.
O'Connor is an attorney and a former North Hempstead town board member.
Bellone was first elected in 2011, and will begin his second term on New Year's Day.
New York voters on Tuesday also elected five new state lawmakers -- three of whom will replace politicians convicted of corruption.
In Brooklyn, Democratic Assemblywoman Roxanne Persaud defeated Republican Jeffrey Ferretti to win the Senate seat formerly held by Democrat John Sampson, convicted of lying to the FBI.
Democrat Alicia Hyndman beat Republican Scherie Murray in a Queens Assembly district formerly represented by Democrat William Scarborough, convicted of pocketing campaign money and filing false expense claims.
Upstate in a Southern Tier Senate race, Broome County Undersheriff Fred Akshar, a Republican, beat Democrat Barbara Fiala, a former motor vehicles commissioner. Akshar replaces Republican Thomas Libous, who was convicted of lying to the FBI.
In other Assembly races, Democrat Pamela Hunter won a Syracuse-area seat and Democrat Pamela Harris claimed a Brooklyn seat.
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