Overview
- Incumbent Republican Ed Smyth leads unofficially 21,368 to 20,766 over Democrat Cooper Macco, with Working Families Party candidate Maria Delgado receiving 1,195 votes.
- Delgado previously told reporters she had no idea she was on the ballot, while election records cited by Newsday show she voted in the June primary and the Nov. 4 general election.
- The Working Families Party had endorsed Macco, but a 30-signature petition triggered a primary that Delgado won 109-26, placing her on the party line for the general election.
- Democrats and Working Families leaders allege coordinated party-raiding to siphon votes, whereas Republican officials deny any role and say Delgado’s candidacy was properly verified.
- A man at Delgado’s home told reporters, “She ran, she lost, and I’m proud of her,” as Democrats press for answers and Smyth says the final tally is what matters.