Long Island sees Republican surge, rare red wave in blue state
Thousands of absentee ballots reportedly still need to be counted
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Long Island saw a Republican surge on Election Day, delivering a rare red wave in deep-blue New York.
Republicans like Bruce Blakeman, the candidate for Nassau County executive, and Anne Donnelly, candidate for district attorney, are declaring victory over their Democratic challengers – Laura Curran for executive, and state Sen. Todd Kaminsky for district attorney.
Curran, though, is not conceding, telling News12 Long Island Tuesday night that the race "is not over," and that "every Nassau resident who participated in this election is owed the opportunity to have their voice heard."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}NEW JERSEY'S GOVERNOR RACE: SEE THE ELECTION DAY MAP
News12 Long Island reported Wednesday afternoon that thousands of absentee ballots still need to be counted.
Hempstead Town Councilman Bruce Blakeman and Nassau County Executive Laura Curran shake hands after a Newsday Town Hall for the Nassau County executive race in Melville, New York, on Oct. 14, 2021. (John Keating/Newsday RM via Getty Images)
Donnelly, in claiming victory for Nassau DA, thanked voters for "backing the candidate who backs the blue."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Donnelly would be the first Republican district attorney elected in Nassau County in two decades.
Meanwhile, a Republican also won the race for district attorney in Suffolk County, defeating the Democratic incumbent.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I will fight every day to keep the citizens of Suffolk County safe," Republican Ray Tierney told News12. "I will be fair and I will reach out into the community to develop relationships so we can all have faith in the District Attorney's Office."
Nassau County district attorney candidates Todd Kaminsky and Anne Donnelly at a Newsday Town Hall in Melville, New York, on Oct. 19, 2021. ( John Keating/Newsday RM via Getty Images)
"A ‘red wave’ swept across Long Island," the Republican National Committee said Wednesday, adding that, amid "spiking crime" in the state, "New York voters strongly rejected Democrats and their crusade to defund the police."
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The rare red wave in Long Island comes after Virginia’s Republican gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin flipped blue Virginia red, defeating Democrat Terry McAuliffe. President Biden won the state of Virginia by 10 points in the 2020 presidential election.
Also in Virginia, Republicans Winsome Sears and Jason Miyares declared victory in the lieutenant governor and attorney general races, respectively – after the GOP had not won a statewide election since 2009.
In New Jersey, Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy was expected to secure a second term against Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli, though the election is still too close to call. Biden won the state of New Jersey by 16 points in 2020.