Brooks Narrowly Leads Venditto
A hotly contested race for New York state senator in the 8th District has not yet been decided, according to Scott Reif, a spokesperson for the Senate GOP.
“This is only one part of the process, and there are still more than a thousand ballots to be examined beginning next week under the supervision of a judge,” said Reif. “Despite an effort by the Democrats to shut this down prematurely, this race is far from over.”
The statement comes after it was reported that current Republican Senator Michael Venditto was ousted by Democratic challenger John E. Brooks, after a heated race that lasted well after Election Day.
According to the state Board of Elections, Brooks led Venditto 64,499 to 64,466, with all 202 districts reporting in the 8th Senate District. However, at the time, there were still 76 write-in ballots to be counted.
After a recount in votes, it was claimed by the Democrats that Brooks had won the seat.
“I am humbled and honored to be the next state senator from the 8th District,” said Brooks in a press statement. “For far too long, elected officials have used their positions to line their pockets at the taxpayers’ expense. In our campaign, we focused on reforming the way public education is funded, eliminating corruption and alleviating the excessive property tax burden now being faced by far too many New Yorkers.”
Brooks continued to say that he “will work hard each and every day putting the needs of Long Island families above everything else.”
It is unclear if Brooks’ expected win will give Democrats a 32-31 majority in the 63-member upper chamber, as Democrat Simcha Felder of Brooklyn sits with the Republicans and has stated that he will continue to do so. In addition, seven Democratic senators belong to the breakaway Independent Democrat Conference, which has formed a coalition with Republican Senators in the past. How this group will vote going forward is not known.
These latest results will be taken before a Nassau County Supreme Court judge, who will rule on the ballot challenges.
