Rice wins third term in 4th C.D.

McDonough, Brooks hold onto their Assembly, Senate seats

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Incumbents dominated on election night in Bellmore and Merrick’s state and national races, with two notable exceptions in State Senate District 6 and Assembly District 18.

Garden City Democrat Kathleen Rice easily won re-election to her 4th Congressional District seat on Tuesday, defeating Bellmore Republican newcomer Ameer Benno with 600 of 652 districts reporting at 11 p.m.

“We’re going to be able to protect our environment; we’re going to be able to protect our LGBTQ community,” Rice said, declaring victory in Garden City. “We can do it all right here. We’re so fortunate to have the activism we have here in New York State to stand for such an aggressive agenda.”

Democratic State Sen. John Brooks defeated his challenger, Massapequa Park Mayor Jeff Pravato, in the 8th Senate District.

Longtime incumbent Republican State Assemblyman Dave McDonough also held onto his 14th District seat, fending off his second challenge from fellow Merokean Mike Reid. Mc-Donough lamented the Republicans’ loss of their Senate majority in his victory speech.

We’re going to have a tremendous victory two years from now,” he said. “We’ll get the Senate back when people see what a mistake they’re making tonight … I’ll work with any senator from any party, and get the word out that Nassau County is not New York City.”

Later in the evening, McDonough told the Herald that Assembly Republicans will hold Democrats’ “feet to the fire” in Albany, but in the meantime, he will remain focused on those he represents.

Incumbent Republican Sen. Kemp Hannon suffered a narrow loss to Levittown Democratic newcomer Kevin Thomas in Senate District 6. Thomas ended the night with 49 percent of the vote to Hannon’s 48.

I’m “proud to be your senator-elect,” Thomas said in a Facebook post after the results were final. “I couldn't have done it without all your help. Now, time to make lives better here in New York.”

In the 18th Assembly District, which includes a small portion of Merrick, Democratic political newcomer Taylor Raynor easily defeated Republican James Lamarre. Raynor had pulled out a stunning upset victory in the Democratic Primary against 30-year incumbent and Deputy Assembly Speaker Earlene Hooper.

“We did this,” Raynor said shortly after the results were announced at the Democrat headquarters at the Garden City Hotel in Garden City on Nov. 6. “This was a long time coming; we deserve excellence. It’s going to be a wild ride, Nassau County. Get ready.”