The blue wave of voters that flipped the U.S. House of Representatives from Republican to Democratic control Tuesday did not cause any congressional upsets on Long Island this Election Day.
All five of LI’s congressional representatives won re-election, although some by closer calls than others, according to unofficial early returns tallied by the New York State Board of Elections.
In the Island’s East End swing district, two-term U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) beat Democratic businessman Perry Gershon, returns show. And U.S. Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford) declared victor in his bid for his 14th term against Democrat Liuba Grechen Shirley, who made national headlines when the Federal Elections Commission unprecedentedly allowed her to use campaign funds to pay for child care while she’s on the trail.
Early returns show King beat Shirley 52 to 45 percent and Zeldin beating Gershon by the same percentage, with the majority of precincts reporting.
Freshman U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) beat Republican challenger Dan DeBono with 57 percent of the vote. And by an even great margin, U.S. Rep Kathleen Rice (D-Garden City) declared victory over Ameer Benno, a Republican attorney challenging the two-term congresswoman.
Running unopposed for his eleventh term was U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Queens), whose district includes part of southwestern Nassau County.
-With Eden Laikin
