Lesko claims Brookhaven Supervisor election
Former prosecutor posts 10-point win over Councilman Mazzei
9 comments below
Mark Lesko will be the next Brookhaven Town Supervisor.
The former prosecutor posted a 10.4 percent victory over Republican Majority Leader Tim Mazzei in the special election for Brookhaven Town Supervisor Tuesday, according to the Suffolk County Board of Elections.
“I am just so proud and honored that the citizens of Brookhaven have chosen me to lead us into a bright future,” said Mr. Lesko, who knocked on doors until polls closed in an effort to get out the vote Tuesday.
Mr. Lesko, a Democrat and a former assistant U.S. Attorney, earned 22,335 votes to Mr. Mazzei's 18,195.
The tally does not include about 2,000 mail-in ballots, which will only be tallied during recounts. Mail-in ballots should not impact the winner, however.
Mr. Mazzei conceded around 9:45 p.m.
“I have no regrets, I say that because we ran a positive campaign,” Mr. Mazzei said. "I'm going to continue to, in spite of what you've heard, work in a bipartisan fashion.”
Mr. Mazzei would not confirm if he will run again for Town Supervisor in the general election. He said he will at least attempt to reclaim his 5th District council seat.
Republican Committee chairman Jesse Garcia said he is "looking forward to November for a Republican victory."
Mr. Lesko will replace former supervisor Brian Foley, who is now a state senator, after Tuesday's election results are certified by the Suffolk County Board of Elections. The process will take between 10 and 21 days.
“The citizens of Brookhaven made a choice today for good government, for clean government and to continue Brian Foley's reform agenda,” Mr. Lesko said.
Mr. Lesko credited his efforts to get out and reach the public door-to-door with helping him claim victory. He said while nobody knew who he was in January, less than 90 days later he's on the verge of being sworn in as Town Supervisor.
He said the environment and quality of life issues will be a major priority.
"As the supervisor of the Town of Brookhaven, I will lead that fight starting right now," Mr. Lesko said.
Brookhaven Democratic chairwoman Marsha Laufer said she was "blown away" with Tuesday's results.
"It was seven years worth of hard work," she said.
More than 6,000 votes were cast on the Democratic line than on the Republican line.
The election was expected to set the tone for the general election in November, in which all Town Board seats will be up for grabs. Tuesday's vote guarantees Democrats will be able to run three incumbents. If one seat turns in their favor, Democrats will regain the majority which they held in 2006 and 2007.
For more than 100 years, Democrats have failed to maintain a majority on the Brookhaven Town Board for two consecutive elections.
John Randolph and John Foley, Brian's father, are the only other Democrats elected town supervisor during that stretch.
More than 6,000 more voters turned out Tuesday than in the last Brookhaven special election — the 2002 vote for councilmanic districts.
Democrats have now won six of the last seven townwide Brookhaven elections, despite enrollment statistics that currently and have historically favored Republicans.
Editor's Note: Check out Friday's North Shore Sun for more extensive coverage.
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9 comments found
Lesko for Supervisor : 9/18/2009
Supervisor Lesko has proven in a very short amount of time that he holds true to his word, and that he is what the Town of Brookhaven has needed all along. If only Councilwoman Bonner was to be voted out we would be in even better shape.
lesko : 4/2/2009
Lets see, given the choice of tax and spend democrats or the wheel, deal and steal Republicans of the last 100 years in Brookhaven I'll take the Democrats
: 4/1/2009
haha just look below..another gop cry baby from the northshore..im sure your a die-hard jane bonner fan..you know who lesko is, and his giant win made a clear refferendum to brian foley's reform agenda..Lesko won CD 2 by the way!
: 4/1/2009
Agreed!!!!! Middle Class Long Islanders are in serious trouble.
: 4/1/2009
Tax and spend Democrats? I would rather see that, then live with another 100 years of wheel, deal and steal Republicans.
Lesko Wins! : 4/1/2009
The Newcomer wins the Special Election and this is a good thing for the Town of Brookhaven. If anyone has listened to both candidates debate, Mark Lesko clearly came out ahead on each issue time and again and didn't blow off all the major issues on the Federal Government. There has been no accountability on the current town board for the past two years except patronage jobs and self centeredness. Fresh new beginings....change is here.....rejoice!
: 4/1/2009
Who is Lesko? What a shame for the Town of Brookhaven!!!! Tax and spend democrats. Look at the Obama administration. Boy WE ARE IN TROUBLE FOLKS!!!!
: 4/1/2009
Lesko is an empty suit, let's see if he can step up to the plate
SCOOP!!! : 3/31/2009
You scooped Newsday on the election results -- WAY TO GO!!! Local news locally reported, that's the strenght of local newspapers. Keep up the good work.
