Stephanie Bontempi Recount Results in LD 18 Give SCGOP 10th Seat, Control of Suffolk County Legislature
YAPHANK, NY – Suffolk County Legislator-elect Stephanie Bontempi crossed the mathematical threshold to guarantee her victory in the 18th District early this afternoon during a recount at the Suffolk County Board of Elections in Yaphank. The recount results ensure that Bontempi has earned the majority of votes cast in the race, making her the tenth Republican who will sit in the majority on the legislative horseshoe in January. Based on Election Day results that were beyond the number of absentee ballot total, Dominick Thorne will be certified as the Legislator-elect later on in the recanvassing process.
Suffolk County Republican Chairman Jesse Garcia expressed optimism that two additional Republicans – Brendan Sweeney in the Sixth Legislative District and Manuel Esteban in District 16 – would also be victorious in their recounts in the days ahead.
“Suffolk voters called overwhelmingly for common sense, positive change this year when they voted, whether it as by absentee ballot, during early voting, or at their polling places on Election Day,” said Chairman Garcia. “Rejecting the radical platform of the left that called for defunding the police and putting criminals back on the street through changes to bail laws, the voters instead chose our Republican team, who will work with new Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney to better protect our citizens and make our neighborhoods safer.”
Suffolk Republicans saw historic gains on Election Night, ousting an incumbent Democratic District Attorney, Presiding Officer, and Democratic Majority leader. GOP ran on a platform of protecting taxpayers and middle-class families, making our neighborhoods safer, and restoring long-term fiscal health to Suffolk County.
“This influx of new faces on the legislature are grounded in community service and private business; they will bring a common-sense approach to government to deliver our residents the quality of services they need and deserve at an affordable cost,” said Garcia. “Working together, and bringing fresh new ideas, they will provide every community with the tools needed to improve our crippled county infrastructure and economy by helping main street small businesses to thrive.”
“I want to congratulate and thank Huntington Town GOP Leader Tom McNally and our partners of the Conservative Party, County Chair Mike Torres and Town Chair Frank Tinari, for their support and work on this historic victory,” Garcia added.
Bontempi will represent the 18th Legislative District in the Town of Huntington and will take office with the rest of the Republican Majority on January 1, 2022.
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